Due to unspecified technical problems, the basket the two men were working in got stuck on a power cable one kilometre from land over the Innvik Fjord at 6.30pm on Monday.

Johan Mannsåker at HRS emergency services explained that rescuers had consulted with the police before rejecting an initial plan to hoist the men into a rescue helicopter.

“There is a small risk associated with letting down a rescuer from a helicopter. Consequently, we have called in the Sunnmøre Alpine Rescue group, who will make their way out to the two workers in a new basket and lower them into a boat on the fjord,” Mannsåker told news agency NTB.

After attempts to repair the basket failed on Monday evening, a rescue helicopter was sent to pick up the men before the operation was deemed too dangerous due to the proximity of two other power lines on either side of the basket.

Instead, the helicopter was sent back to the fjord at around midnight to send down a bag of food and clothing to the men in order to make their overnight stay tolerable in a basket that is just one metre wide and 1.5 metres long.

Rescue chief Erik Willassen said the two men were doing well under the circumstances.

“They were a bit cold last night but are in good form,” he said.

Lowering the men into a boat will take longer than a helicopter rescue but is a safer procedure, rescue workers said. HRS expects the men to be taken to safety at around midday on Tuesday.