VIDEO: 'A dramatic experience'

Five fishermen are lucky to be alive after a dramatic but well executed rescue from treacherous sea conditions in the icy waters off Norway’s northern coast.

The 89-foot fishing trawler Kim Roger reportedly lost power and drifted onto the rocky coast after its fishing net fouled the boat’s propeller, the captain told rescuers. The incident occurred Jan. 4 off Lofotodden, which sits above the Arctic Circle.

The Norwegian coast guard rescued all of the grounded fishing vessel’s crewmembers shortly before the boat capsized and sank. A Sea King helicopter from the coast guard’s 330 Rescue Squadron hoisted them to safety.

The Kim Roger, which was built in 1977, was over on her side and two crewmembers had just gone overboard, but they and the other three, who were still aboard, were safely airlifted from the wreck site within minutes and no injuries were reported, according to The Maritime Executive.

Pilot and mission commander Per Johan Ødegaard told the local press that this was one of the more dramatic rescues he has conducted.

“We never felt that it was risky for us, but it was clear that with the water and the movement of the boat, the potential was there for it to go wrong. We are very aware of that when we send our rescuer down,” he said. “We also see the survivors clinging on and realize that they have a dramatic experience. It does have an effect on our crew.”