By 9 p.m. on Sep 15 the “Nordlys” was in danger of capsizing at the quay while the ship was taking more water than was pumped out.
Earlier in the day divers had plugged a hole in the hull with a seal, but after pump failed, the ship again filled with water.
There was a period of power on the ship, but the fire department decided to turn it off again due to fears that the ship's sprinkler systems would cause again water to accumulate and increase the risk of further tilting of the vessel
For several hours the salvagers worked hard to get the ship's own pump system running, which did not work without a functioning electrical system.
The salvage company Bukser og Berging activated a more powerful pump at 8.30 p.m. but this did not stop the water ingress, possible after a hatch to the engine room got open.
Three salvagers who had tried to install additional pumps due to a lack of protective gear were confused by fire gases and had to be taken to hospital.
The lifeboat "Emmy Dyvi" has pulled away from the Hurtigruten ship, and rescuers were evacuated after the danger increased that the ship could capsize.
By 9 p.m. the “Nordlys” was more unstable than earlier in the day and she listed 12 degrees to starboard by 9 p.m. A full evacuation of relief workers was ordered by the police after a new water ingress emerged at 8.30 p.m. Salvagers were now working hard to clear the ship of water and locate the leak.
There were a dozen police officers on the pier, at least three fire engines and an ambulance and four members of the fire rescue still on board.
The fire that killed two of Hurtigruten's employees started in all probability by an explosion in the engine room. It was yet unclear why the automatic shutdown mechanism on board the Hurtigruten ship did not work. Two inspectors from the Accident Investigation Board were on their way.