Ship runs aground

A ship has been damaged after hitting a rock unmarked on Admiralty charts.

Fish carrier, MV Ronja Viking, struck the hidden hazard off the east coast of Benbecula last weekend.

The 1,250 tonne Norwegian-flagged vessel is being repaired in drydock in Ayrshire.

The 57-metre-long ship was on charter to the Scottish Salmon Company, transferring farmed salmon to their harvest station in Lewis for processing at the Marybank factory.

MV Ronja Viking is owned by Ålesund ship operator, Sølvtrans, which is the world's largest wellboat company for the transport of live salmon and trout.

Roger Halsebakk, chief executive of Sølvtrans, said: “This rock is not marked on the charts, so the captain could not have foreseen the accident.

“The damage was in connection to a seawater ballast tank, there was never any danger for the crew or the vessel.

“The vessel is in dock for repair and we do not yet know how long the repair will take.”

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said they received a report of an uncharted rock.

A MCA spokesperson added: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency was made aware that the Norwegian flagged vessel ‘Ronja Viking’ had been involved in an incident.

“A surveyor from the Glasgow marine office inspected the vessel at Troon where damage to the hull was identified.

“A surveyor will revisit the vessel to ensure that the relevant requirements of international legislation have been met prior to it re-entering service.”

MV Ronja Viking reported the uncharted rock at 57° 26.432`North, 7° 12.429 West.

Ship runs aground on uncharted rock

28 April 2019