Semisubmersible crane vessel Saipem 7000 has been stabilised, after listing following a lifting incident off the coast of Norway. The search and rescue centre at Stavanger HRS Sor-Norge said the vessel is now level and that the captain is handling the situation with the on board crew. It added that earlier today a steel crane cable had snapped resulting in the vessel dropping its load, and causing Saipem 7000 to list. HRS Sor-Norge said the incident took place in Amoyfjorden. No one was injured but barges next to the crane vessel had suffered damage and capsized. Saipem said the company is investigating the incident and has no further comment to make at this time. Saipem 7000 was scheduled this month to return to foundation installation work at the 1.1GW Seagreen offshore wind farm off Scotland, after undergoing planned maintenance and inspection in Rotterdam. One of the largest crane ships in the world has suffered significant damage after partially capsizing in Norway. The Saipem 7000 was left tilting on its side after the accident on Thursday morning opposite the southwestern port of Stavanger. "A steel cable broke during a loading operation," police commissioner Brit Randulff told AFP. "Witnesses heard a loud bang, but there was no indication of an explosion." All 275 crew members on board the specialised crane ship were rescued and no injuries have been reported. The huge vessel -- operated by the Italian oil services company Saipem -- was eventually righted later on Thursday. According to its operator, the Saipem 7000 was built in Italy in the 1980s and can be partially submerged to lay oil pipelines in the open sea.
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