24.11.2009
Source:
Ferry Silja Europa, belonging to Estonian steamship company Tallink, several hours drifted in Baltic Sea near Finnish island Ahvenamaa due to steering system breakdown was towed to Finnish port Turku Monday evening, said Tallink press service.
Ferry
Silja Europa sailed off Stockholm on Sunday and was scheduled to arrive at Finnish port Turku at 07.00 pm local time. However, in the middle of the day the vessel lost control due to steering system breakdown and had to lie on the drift near Finnish island Ahvenamaa.
A tugboat approached
Silja Europa Monday morning and towed it to port Turku by the evening. Divers had inspected the ship and concluded that repair of steering system would take at least a week. Causes of a breakdown are being investigated.
About 1373 passengers and 286 crewmembers were aboard the ferry. The accident did not bring risks to their lives and health, informed
Tallink.
