Norwegian Coast Guard in race against ice after trawler runs aground near Svalbard

Rescuing the crew of the ‘Northguider’ was quick, if demanding, operation. Other aspects of the ship’s grounding will take longer to sort out.

After conducting a dramatic operation to save the lives of 14 fishermen aboard a trawler that had run aground in the narrow strait between the Svalbard islands of Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet on Friday, Norwegian officials say their efforts will now center on ensuring that 300,000 liters of diesel the vessel is carrying do not spill into the waters of the nature reserve where it was sailing.