Norwegian prime minister orders investigation of capsized ship

Norwegian prime minister orders investigation of capsized ship    Kjell Magne Bondevik, Prime Minister of Norway, has announced that his government will conduct a formal inquiry into the sinking of the bulk carrier 'Rocknes,' which capsized suddenly on Jan. 19 after leaving Bergen.
   Out of a total crew of 30 on the ship, 12 people have been rescued, two are known to be dead, and 16 remain missing. Three crewmembers were extracted alive from the capsized vessel after rescue workers cut a hole in its hull.
   The 544-foot 'Rocknes,' built in 2001 and equipped to haul gravel and stone used to secure undersea pipelines, was loaded with stones and had just refueled before heading from Bergen to Emden in Germany.
   After passing the western island of Bjoroey, the 'Rocknes' either grounded or struck an underwater outcropping that ripped holes visible in the hull after the ship turned over without warning. The vessel sent out a distress message moments before it capsized.
   Some survivors said they heard the rumble of stones just before the ship flipped, suggesting that its cargo had shifted.
   Alte Jebsen, chairman of Bergen-based Jebsen Management AS, the Norwegian operator of the 'Rocknes,' said he did not understand how it could have capsized. 'It's gruesome that something like this can happen to such a modern ship,' Jebsen said.
   The pilot on board the 'Rocknes,' Vermund Halhjem, 41, and the vessel's captain, Jan Aksel Juvik, 56, were Norwegians. The pilot survived, but the captain remains missing. The crew included three Dutchmen, one German, and 24 Filipinos.
   'The families are in a terrible situation and we will do what we can to help,' said Prime Minister Bondevik. 'All conceivable resources will be tapped.' Norway's ministries for justice, fishing and trade will cooperate in the investigation.
   The Norwegian coast guard started procedures on Tuesday to contain oil and diesel fuel leaking from the capsized ship, which was insured by Gard of Norway.