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Every Easter a large number of tourist flock to Norway to enjoy the perfect holiday, but all to often this ends in catastrophe.
Skot
Despite the fact that locals chose not to sail out for a days fishing, inexperienced tourist risk their lives for the sake of a full freezer. Two German tourists were rescued in high seas outside Bergen in a small 14-foot boat. As a result one died and the other escaped with minor injuries. This is yet another example of this during the holiday period witnessed by local fishermen, Ove Magne Berge.
Here in Norway so many tourist rent boats with out any seamanship or knowledge. It has been claimed that both the boat owners and the tourists must take some responsibility for the increase in the number of accidents in our fjords. All to often boats have a minimum of safety equipment or tourist chose not to use the supplied life vests.
More must be done to regulate this growing problem. Norway can no longer tolerate the constant rescuing of hapless tourist. It is not only an expensive exercise but also something that can simply be avoided by a few simple regulations that are policed by both rental agencies and local boat owners.
In future boat rental agents must be held responsible for informing these people in the safety regulations and weather conditions that could lead to disaster. We are quick to blame holidaymakers but with out knowledge of Norway sea conditions or the guidance needed we will never rid ourselves of this problem. Lets hope this will be the last death in our fjords this holiday season.
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