Machinist Bob went down with Rocknes in 2004. Now he tells about the drama. – NRK Vestland

There was actually nothing to indicate that anything was going to happen.

The cargo ship was only a few years old. The weather on this January day was nice.

The trip had gone smoothly after 23 tonnes of stone and gravel were loaded on board Eikefet in Lindås just north of Bergen.

MS Rocknes made a last stop for bunkering before heading towards Emden in Germany.

But the ship will not even get out of Bergen municipality.

Basic noise thing

When the cargo ship turns into the Vatlestraumen, Dutch Bob de Beurs is together with two compatriots and colleagues in an office.

– I felt a vibration in the ship. We thought that was strange, since the weather was so good, says the now retired machinist.

But it won’t take many seconds before he understands that this is serious.

At the same time, on land at Hilleren between Haakonsvern and Flesland, Atle Hansen sees that something is about to happen right outside the stove glass.

A large ship has capsized in the narrow Vatlestraumen.

Then he hears the alarm; tactful, ominous booms.

The sound, and so much else from this afternoon, has burned into the memory of both Hansen and many others who will have a role in what is about to become a large-scale rescue operation.

The dramatic shipwreck

In a recent podcast, new details emerge about what happened when Rocknes sank, around 16:30 on 19 January 2004.

Ulukka happened in the open, with a pilot on board. In good condition and with a ship that is only three years old.

It cost 18 sailors their lives.

It had a huge impact, but many still feel that there is a lack of clear answers.

New eyewitnesses now tell about their experience for the first time.

Like Bob de Beurs. On the dock in Hilleren, he relives the moment that changed his life.

When he gets out on deck, he understands how serious the situation is.

– The water was already on the main deck. I try to get to the railing, but the water hits me in the back before I reach it.

Rocknes walks around. And it happens fast.

He describes what happens as panic, confusion, darkness and anxiety.

Give up

– It was very loud. I didn’t understand what happened, what was up and down.

Bob de Beurs thinks he must have been dragged down. He’s about to run out of air. And hope.

Then he broke the surface. He gets to pick up a lifeboat. He is freezing cold and full of diesel oil from Rocknes, which is now lying upside down like a stranded turtle.

Atle Hansen remembers when Bob de Beurs was seen off the dock at Hilleren.

Now the two meet in the same place, 20 years later.

– I think you must have been in shock, says the Norwegian.

– Yes, the mental shock was the worst. So I don’t remember anything from the dock, says the Dutchman.

But Hansen remembers.

– I think it was you I asked: “How many were there on board?”.

He got the answer on the 28th.

– But there were only six or seven on the dock. I thought; where is the rest?

Changed my life

For Bob de Beurs, it hurts to think back. But simultaneous therapy.

– At first I thought that I didn’t want to tell in a podcast. But my wife gave me stern notice; you must participate in this.

He has spent a long time processing. He got back to work in the engine room.

When Rocknes was able to, he was back at work.

– On the same ship. In the same waters. With the same colleagues. Or, those who survived, says de Beurs, who says he believes it was important that he regained the safety of the ship that nearly cost him his life.