The 465 gt fishing vessel HD-27 (Zuiderhaaks) contacted the KNRM rescue station at Den Helder, Netherlands that it was disabled and was in need of assistance. The fishing vessel had caught a net in the propeller and was threatening to go ashore. The station launched the lifeboat Joke Dijkstra who took aboard a towing cable cutter. Due to the severe weather with 8 force winds and 4 to 6 meter waves, the lifeboat crew had prepared to hold the HD-27 in position until another fishing vessel to take it under tow. The cutter allowed the fishing vessel and lifeboat to drop the tow line independently with minimal risk to either crew. As planned the HD-27 was taken tow by another fishing vessel. No reports of injury or pollution being release.
