Quakes recorded moments before “Rocknes” capsized

Quakes recorded moments before “Rocknes” capsized

Quakes recorded moments before “Rocknes” capsized

   Norwegian scientists at the Geophysical Institute at Bergen University said their instruments recorded three earthquake measurements just before the bulk carrier “Rocknes” capsized suddenly Jan. 19, killing 18 of its 30-man crew.
   “The readings are consistent with the ship scraping along a mountain edge,” said professor Jens Havskov. Maps drawn before 2003 did not show a newly discovered shallow only nine meters deep in the narrow sound near Bergen where the vessel turned over. The keel of the “Rocknes” extended 10 meters beneath the surface of the water.
   Salvage teams continued to pump air in and oil out of the capsized vessel prior to towing the upside-down ship to dock at Hanoeytangen. Cargo holds on the “Rocknes” contain 23,000 tons of stone.
   The bodies of four crewmen have been recovered; 14 remain missing despite searches by divers.