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Tag: KNRM

Seaforce

Seaforce

Seaforce
Photo: noordhollandsdagblad.nl

On the morning of October 26, the 30 meter long standby vessel Seaforce (IMO: 6912499) sprung a leak in the North Sea off Zuiderhaaks, Netherlands. The Seaforce had suffered water ingress in the vessel’s engine room causing the vessel to lose power and go adrift. Unable to control the flooding, the crew sent out a distress call asking for assistance.

The KNRM launched a lifeboat near Bergen aan Zee due to the strong westerly winds and heavy seas.  The Dutch Coast Guard launched a helicopter which arrived on scene and hoisted 5 of the Seaforce crew to safety. The remaining crew member stayed on the Seaforce as a rescue tug was dispatched from Terschelling. The tug arrived a short time later and took the Seaforce under tow to Oudeschild escorted by the KNRM lifeboat.

Reports state the Seaforce reached Oudeschild later that day waterlogged with a list to starboard.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

 

Eva Schulte

Eva Schulte

Eva Schulte

On October 4, the 145 meter long, 16621 dwt tanker Eva Schulte (IMO: 9439826) became disabled in the North Sea west of Ijmuiden, Netherlands. The Eva Schulte was headed to Amsterdam from Brofjorden with a cargo of fuel oil when it suffered engine failure. Multiple lifeboats from the KNRM along with an emergency tug responded as the tanker drifted close to a nearby wind farm. Attempts to establish a towline were unsuccessful as stormy weather conditions with 5 meter waves made operations difficult. Eventually one of the lifeboats were able to establish a towline and the tanker was pulled away from danger. The crew was able to make repairs and restore power to the main engine, but the towline will be dropped when conditions improve.  No reports of injuries to the 21 crew, damage or pollution released.

Storebaelt

Storebaelt

Storebaelt
Photo: schuttevaer.nl

On the evening of September 16, the 34.5 meter long sailing ship Storebaelt collided with the 70 meter long dredger Prins 3 (MMSI: 244700457) in the Wadden Sea off the coast of Harlingen, Netherlands.  The Storebaelt was proceeding on a voyage when it struck head-on with the dredger.  The impact damaged the bowsprit of the Storebaelt and the dredger sustained damage to its bow, but neither vessel suffered water ingress. The KNRM was alerted and two rescue boats were dispatched to the scene.  The KNRM along with another vessel help tow both the Prins 3 and the Storebaelt back to port.

There were no injuries to the 3 crew on the Prins 3, but there were reports of minor injuries on the Storebaelt.  Reports state the sailing vessel had some 25 schoolchildren and 5 adult supervisors on board as passengers during the incident.  Many of the children were examined for bumps and bruises as many were visibly shaken from the incident.  Afterwards, all the passengers were taken to a nearby hotel.

Reports state that conditions may have been a factor in the incident as there were strong winds and heavy rains limited visibility. The incident is under investigation.