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Friday December 15 12:14 PM ET Submerged Ship Off Norway Leaks Oil

OSLO (Reuters) - A damaged cargo ship carrying about 400 tons of bunker oil was leaking fuel off western Norway on Friday, prompting an environmental alert in the area, according to the State Pollution Control Authority (SFT).

The Green Alesund was partially submerged about five miles north of Haugesund after running aground.

Earlier the Norwegian captain and the mostly Polish crew of 16 were rescued by helicopter.

Bad weather was hampering measures to control the spread of oil, the SFT said.

The ship, carrying 3,500 tons of frozen fish, is owned by Norway's Nomadic Shipping ASA.

-- Rachel Gibson (rgibson@hotmail.com), December 15, 2000