The tour boat M/S Ådalen III ran aground outside Kramfors on Thursday evening.
A large rescue operation was launched and a helicopter participated in the operation.
– We continued to play when we found out what the situation was, there was no panic. We said that now we are running the Titanic, says Stefan Fröberg, who played music on the boat.
In Norafjärden, the boat first ran aground before continuing to drive. Then it stopped and started going in circles. The alarm went to the Maritime Administration, the coast guard and the sea rescue society. A rescue helicopter was also called in – the boat had run aground with 144 people on board.
– It has run aground and is taking in some water, says Sara Jönsson at the Maritime and Air Rescue Centre.
Continued playing music
Stefan Fröberg, one half of the duo Fröberg O Sjöberg, was playing music for the guests on board when the accident occurred.
– We continued to play when we found out what the situation was. So it’s calm on board, there’s no panic, says Stefan Fröberg.
The duo Fröberg O Sjöberg continued playing when the boat M/S Ådalen III ran aground
The duo Fröberg O Sjöberg continued playing when the boat M/S Ådalen III ran aground
Photo: Private
As soon as the captain realized that something had happened, the boat stopped. When the rescue effort began, they focused on getting the pumps started to lower the water level on the boat.
– The water level in the boat is decreasing, so they have to go to Gustavsvik under their own power, says Jonas Franzén at the Maritime and Air Rescue Centre.
On the boat, a message from the captain was played: “We’re taking out more water than we’re taking in, we’re going to rough it carefully to Gustavsvik where you can get off”. An evacuation was never considered, but the boat had to be followed to Gustavsvik. The maritime and air rescue center is ready to evacuate if necessary.
No panic on the boat
Despite the fact that the accident had happened and the large rescue effort, the mood on the boat was good.
– People didn’t notice anything, we drove on. Something like this can cause someone to panic, but that was not the case here, says Stefan Fröberg and adds:
– We entertain and have some fun with the travelers.