The sea area off West-Smøla is one of the most difficult in Norway, according to pilot Odd Marvin Holberg, as reported by NRK Møre og Romsdal. Many shoals lie 2-3 meters below the surface and are not marked on charts, making navigation hazardous. Strong currents and cross waves from the Atlantic can cause boats to capsize or fill with water.
In 2014, an online safety course for foreign fishing tourists was developed but never made mandatory and was later scrapped due to cost. Gunnar Ulseth, a maritime safety expert, told NRK Møre og Romsdal he was disappointed that training remained ad hoc.
It was disappointing. We spent a couple of years developing the program.
Boat rental operator Egil Betten, who had a group of 18 tourists in several boats, reported one boat missing in the evening, leading to the rescue operation. Betten, renting boats for 25 years, can only require a boat license. He told NRK Møre og Romsdal he wishes for a mandatory practical test, as current rules make it difficult to require a course.
The cause of the accident remains unknown, as does whether the men were experienced or had safety equipment.
I would claim that it is one of the most difficult sea areas in all of Norway.
Maybe a few shoals stick up, but there are incredibly many that lie just under the water.
You should preferably keep distance from the shoals, but that's not so easy when they are densely scattered.