Divers were able to weld on a temporary patch to the 172 meter long Statengracht at Rostock. The patch was able to stock the water ingress allowing the vessel’s pump to clear out the cargo hold. Reports state the vessel’s cargo of wood pellets (cellulose) had to be unloaded with the majority undamaged. The water police had stated that a navigational error may have the caused the collision to occur.
The 172 meter long, 21250 dwt freighter Statengracht from Rauma with a cargo of wood pellets collided with the 88 meter long, 4173 dwt freighter Katre in the Baltic Sea near Ruegen, Germany. The Katre was en route to Stralsund from Oresund when it struck into the port side of the Statengracht. The Statengracht’s cargo hull was breached resulting with water ingress. The crew were able to get the flooding under control with the vessel’s pumps, but the vessel developed a 10 degree list. A lifeboat and an anti-pollution vessel responded to the scene. The vessels escorted the Statengracht to Rostock where it safely berthed. The Katre proceeded to Mukran where it was detained. No reports of injuries on either vessel. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state the cause of the collision was human error and that weather was not a factor.
