By James Heinz
My article on the former Norwegian Rescue Vessel HALTEN which has been moored at the Manitowoc marina for at least the past 20 years drew unprecedented number of responses with further information about the ship, including from Norway, the country that built it. Never underestimate the power of Facebook.
The first is WMHS member Captain Greg Stametalakys, former Great Lakes ship captain. He noticed the ship at the marina a number of years ago and spoke to the owner, who he remembered as “Craig”. The owner said an airline pilot had brought it across the Atlantic. The owner had a book featuring the ship, or possibly ships, since he seemed to imply that other identical ships had been brought over.
Best of all, Captain Greg took a nice picture of the ship from the water side, which shows off the distinctive lines of the hull that first drew my attention.
Another respondent posted a photo of the HALTEN underway for the rescue service. Another said that the insignia of the Norwegian rescue service is still on display on the side of the ship. It is the cross inside a circle on the side of the deckhouse just behind the bridge.
People who responded to my Facebook post informed me that HALTEN does not mean “the limp” as Google Translate misinformed us. It actually refers to either an abandoned Norwegian fishing village https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halten,_Tr%C3%B8ndelag or a fishing bank in the North Sea off the coast of Norway. There is a short You Tube video about the village: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ozdm7MpfZVo
There is also a You Tube video about HALTEN’s sister ship the RV FREDRIKSTAD, which has also been converted to a luxury yacht: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwU1xwmtUg4
Another sister ship is the JORGEN ADMUNDSEN https://jorgenamundsen.com/ A number of her sister ships are being used as excursion boats around the world. That is a testament to the skills of their Norwegian builders, since ships rarely stay in service for over 60 years, especially in salt water.
And finally, Lars M. Enger of the rescue service sent me what they know about the ship:
“RS «Halten» was rescue vessel no. 71 in our fleet and was built in 1966 at Hasund Smie & Sveisverksted in Ulsteinvik, Norway, at a cost of 1,225,000 NOK. Her original engines were replaced in 1985 with two 365 HP motors, enhancing her capabilities. In 1997, she was sold to Will Van Gal for 1,575,000 NOK. Today, we’re at vessel number 177, making RS «Halten» a part of our long history.
One of her notable rescues involved a 25-foot sailboat near Hellvik, Egersund. On a stormy night, with strong winds and sleet, RS «Halten» and her crew received an emergency call. The sailboat’s engine and rudder had failed, leaving it adrift just 25 meters from rocky waters. Skipper Børge Landsnes and his crew skillfully navigated through the hazardous area to reach the distressed vessel in time, towing it safely to Egersund.
Funding for RS «Halten» was a collaborative effort, with contributions from the Trøndelag counties and Trondheim, a legacy from Johs. Jøssing of Strinda, and a building fund.”
I also appreciated the kind comments from those liked the story and my writing style. I am glad I could bring this story to your attention.
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James Heinz is the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s acquisitions director. He became interested in maritime history as a kid watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures on TV. He was a Great Lakes wreck diver until three episodes of the bends forced him to retire from diving. He was a University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee police officer for thirty years. He regularly flies either a Cessna 152 or 172.
