A maneuvering error caused the ferry Kanalen to run aground near Agger in northwestern Jutland on Wednesday morning, leaving the vessel stuck fast for more than four hours.
The 50 meter ferry, which operates between Thyborøn and Agger, ended up on a sand and gravel bank close to the mole at Agger harbor at around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16. DR reports that the grounding was caused by human error.
Ferry operations manager Andreas Groth described the incident as a maneuvering error and a human factor, according to DR. He said he was still working to establish the full sequence of events during the day.
The ferry sat immovably on the bank while the rescue boat Martha Lerche pulled at it without result. Only at 2:30 p.m., after more than four hours of work, did the vessel come free and get towed to shore.
Neither people nor animals were injured in connection with the grounding, DR reports. The ferry crosses the Thyborøn channel to Agger, on the Agger Tange spit at the northern edge of Thy National Park.
Hull inspected by divers
After being towed in, the ferry was moored at the mole while awaiting an inspection of the hull by divers. Groth said the operator needed certainty about whether damage had occurred, and when sailing could resume.
As reported by DR, the hope was to be back in service on Thursday, but that was not confirmed at the time. In a follow-up on Thursday morning, DR reported that the grounded ferry was sailing normally again.
Passengers on board spent the afternoon waiting for the vessel to be freed. Marco Möllenbech, who was traveling with his family on a holiday along the west coast, told DR the day had been long and boring, but not dangerous or dramatic.
According to his account, nobody on board could see what had happened or how long the wait would last. He said the situation was tedious rather than frightening.
The Copenhagen Post also confirmed that the ferry between Thyborøn and Agger ran aground on Wednesday morning. The route is a short crossing on the west coast of Jutland, linking Thyborøn with Agger Tange.
No information has been published about damage found during the diver inspection. DR named no other authorities involved in examining the grounding.
