Posted on 08/30/2005 6:07:23 AM PDT by franksolich
The Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (NSSR) demands that measures be taken to prepare foreign tourists better for the demands of braving Norway's natural elements.
German fishing tourists and inexperienced foreigners in kayaks were surprised and imperiled by Monday's storm conditions in northwestern Norway - despite warnings several days in advance.
"Greater responsibility must be imposed on boat hire companies, both in relation to weather information, safety equipment on board and the boats themselves," NSSR information chief Ingvar Johnsen said.
On Monday 40 foreign kayakers got into trouble in the Geiranger fjord when the wind suddenly turned. Two capsized, but the paddlers were rescued by a local boat.
The near victims were passengers on the cruise ship "Rhapsody", and had little experience with the kayaks they rented locally.
On the Romsdal fjord four German fishing tourists in two boats were surprised by the storm. Two were forced ashore on an island in the fjord but a search operation had to be launched for the others, who had been out in an open 16-foot plastic boat. They were found by the rescue ship "Kjøpstad", after a helicopter ambulance and local police had been called.
Johnsen despairs at the situation, which has become frustratingly familiar.
"This time it went well but we have also had cased that ended tragically, because foreigners do not have knowledge or experience with the coast, the sea and with boating. Also, I don't think it is good enough, putting foreigners aboard a shell of a 16-foot boat with a couple of oars, a small outboard motor and wishing them a good trip," Johnsen said.
Johnsen said that as Norway has become a popular nature holiday destination something must be done to prevent these costly and dangerous situations from recurring.
This reminds me of the DUmmie PUnidiot "William Pitt" who, about a month ago, went down to hot sunny blast-furnace desert-like Texas attired in what the Bostonian Idiot thought was "cowboy gear".....black hat, black shirt, black pants, black jacket, black socks, black shoes.
Thrill seekers are not only risking their lives, but the lives of Rescue Workers. Maybe they get their thrill but someone else may have to die for it.
Please tell me that they found his dissicated corpse within feet of a What-a-Burger, melted into the asphalt...
No, unfortunately for the quality and reputation of literary prose in this culture, once the Bostonian Idiot showed up in the sweltering heat of the Texas sun burning down, he decided wearing dark colors wasn't such a bright idea after all.
It may vwery well be a Swedish plot...
We could never trust them in Minn.
Fire Ants ! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA !!
I am not Norwegian, just married one. Her family used to warn me not to "Make a Swede of myself". It took a while to realize that it was an insult, as I knew several Swedish families and greatly respected them fore their honesty and hard-work ethic. I did keep my tongue however, especially after my (future) mother-in-law described what she went through during the WWII occupation on the coast of Norway...
Most of the NSSR vessels today are RIBs or high-speed semi-planing boats. In years past, they used full-displacement heavy metal. The changes were mandated, in part, by the need to aid inexperienced mariners.
Bump!
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