TANKER’S CREW

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31830, 7 November 1968, Page 11

TANKER’S CREW

Fears For Lives

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) NEW YORK, Nov. 6.

Fears mounted last night for the lives of 25 crew of the Norwegian tanker Etnefjell, who have been missing in lifeboats in mountainous seas in the Atlantic for five days.

Two lifeboats, carrying 12 and 13 men. were lowered from the 11,000-ton tanker last Thursday after it caught fire and was badly damaged by an explosion. United States Coast Guard cutter Absecon which has been standing by the fireravaged tanker since early yesterday, was finally able to get close enough just before darkness last night to speak with three men on board—identified as the captain, the chief officer, and the engineer.

They informed Coast Guard officials that 25 men abandoned ship last week. As the ship carried a crew of 33, five men are unaccounted for.

A large search is mounting for the two missing lifeboats and their occupants. But hopes that they have survived are low, for the lifeboats would had had to stand up to 35ft-high seas, whipped up by winds of more than 50 miles an hour. The three officers still on board the Etnefjell seemed in good health, the Coast Guard reported. Food, juice, cigarettes, and a radio unit were passed to them by the Absecon.

A Dutch tug, the Groningen, was expected to reach the tanker—which is 360 miles south-east of Greenland —some time during last night and take it in tow as soon as the weather improves.