The audit, conducted on Wednesday, May 13, revealed missing and outdated emergency preparedness, lack of drills, and lack of maintenance on several vessels, according to the authority. Atle Holten, technical director at Fredrikstad municipality, said the deviations stem from updates that should have been made in the system and in how the ferry service is organized, and that they are both recent and older. The municipality has submitted a plan to address the issues, but Marit Nilsen, acting communications director at the Norwegian Maritime Authority, said the authority has provided comments and the plan is not yet approved because serious deviations remain open.
It is unclear when the plan will be resubmitted or how long the ban will last.