A massive rescue operation was launched in the Hjeltefjorden near Tjeldstø in Øygarden municipality after an unmanned boat was spotted drifting with its motor running. The multi-agency response concluded shortly after 21:00 when a man in his 60s contacted police to state that the 16-foot open white boat belonged to him.
The alarm was raised around 19:00 on Monday evening after a member of the public observed the drifting vessel outside Tjeldstø and brought it to land. Although no one was reported missing in the area, authorities feared someone might have fallen overboard because items and fishing gear were found on board and the motor was running.
Massive Emergency Deployment
The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre led the operation, dispatching air ambulances, a rescue helicopter from Florø, three rescue boats, and the Coast Guard ship Bison
alongside police vessels, fire department boats, and Øygarden fire station’s unit. More than ten vessels were deployed in total.
Search efforts quickly expanded as darkness fell and strong winds made the severe weather conditions challenging and complex. Personnel from the Red Cross, Norwegian Search Dogs, and Norwegian People’s Aid were called out to conduct shore searches, while drones were also utilized in the operation.
Owner Steps Forward
Just before 21:00, the operation was wrapped up after the boat’s owner made contact with authorities. According to police incident commander Ole Marius Røttingen, the man in his 60s explained that he had used the boat earlier in the day and left it at a dock near his cabin at around 17:00 with the engine running before it drifted away.
The owner explained that he used the boat today. The engine was running, and then it wore out,
Røttingen stated to BA. Police confirmed that no one was missing and that the owner stated it was unlikely anyone else had used the vessel.