Vinnslustöðin hf’s pelagic vessel, Sighvatur Bjarnason VE, has returned to Vestmannaeyjar after completing a successful temporary assignment supplying a mining exploration project in East Greenland.
The vessel arrived back in Vestmannaeyjar on Tuesday evening after transporting supplies, spare parts and personnel for a research project operated by Greenland Mines Ltd in the Skaergaard area of East Greenland.
Ice-Tugs contacted Icelandic fishing company Vinnslustöðin in mid-August to ask whether Sighvatur Bjarnason could be temporarily chartered for the operation. The company has supported the mining project in recent years, but changes to the existing plans meant a vessel was needed at short notice to transport personnel and supplies.
Preparation began immediately, with skipper Óskar Stefánsson saying the work progressed well despite the limited time available.
“We had to update the navigation computer, and there was a lot of work to be done in the engine room. The vessel also underwent extensive cleaning, while various other repairs were carried out before departure,” Óskar said.
Sighvatur Bjarnason was ready to sail on the evening of 25 August and first headed to Reykjavík. There, supplies, spare parts and four passengers were taken aboard before the vessel departed for Greenland.
Photo: Vinnslustöðin hf. / Sighvatur Bjarnason VE
Sighvatur Bjarnason reached its destination on Friday morning, sailing into Kangerdlugssuaq Fjord before continuing through Uttental Sound towards the Forbindelsesgletscher glacier.
The area is being explored for precious metals, with drilling and blasting among the activities taking place as part of the project.
Óskar said the voyage went extremely well, highlighting the navigation through the icebergs and the narrow sound as particularly memorable.
“It was very unusual sailing among the icebergs and through the sound. It was both narrow and shallow, so we had to proceed carefully,” he said.
Sighvatur Bjarnason berthed alongside Argus, which serves as a base and floating hotel for personnel working on the project. Some of the cargo was transferred from the vessel by helicopter.
Six passengers travelled back to Iceland aboard Sighvatur Bjarnason, returning home for leave. The vessel arrived in Vestmannaeyjar on Tuesday evening, bringing its temporary charter for the Greenland project to an end.
The voyage was completed successfully, with favourable weather throughout providing good conditions for the crew and passengers.