The main rescue center is on its way to the steamship Skibladner to tow the boat to Gjøvik. The ship is the world’s oldest paddle steamer in operation.
– It has had an engine stoppage and needs towing assistance. We are on our way with resources now. There are 138 people on board. 121 passengers and the rest work on the boat. There is nothing more dramatic than a machine stop, says Ståle Jamtli in the main rescue center in Southern Norway.
The rescue company’s Mjøsvekteren together with a fire boat from Hamar and a police boat from Gjøvik goes to help the boat. The towing is estimated at two hours. The ship is located outside Helgøya.
The weather is fine and conditions are good in the area.
A passenger on board, Roger Stinessen, tells the local newspaper Hamar Arbeiderblad that it is the vacuum pump on the steam engine that has smoked.
There will be no more trips today, says Eva Stø of the company that runs Skibladner, Oplandske Dampskipsselskap in the same newspaper.
Skibladner had problems earlier this summer, and suffered extensive damage. The boat has been due for repairs for a long time. It started running again last week.
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