EEMSHORN

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Latest news

Helsman fell asleep before accident in 2018

The helmsman of the 'Eemshorn', which allided with the Oosterscheldekering at the end of 2018, probably fell asleep shortly before, the Maritime Disciplinary Court has concluded. The dredger had left Yerseke in the middle of the night and was on its way to a location on the North Sea. At the Oosterscheldekering, the ship had to pass the Roompot locks. Around 5 a.m. the ship hit a pillar inside the storm surge barrier. Contrary to the rules, the helmsman was alone on the bridge of the ship at the time of the accident. During dark hours there must always be a second crew member as a lookout, a rule that the 'Eemshorn' violated more often, according to the ruling of the disciplinary committee. After the accident, this did not happen again, and it was decided to depart with the ship later in the morning as standard, so that all crew members have a better night's sleep. The captain had gone to bed around 3 a.m. The helmsman was thus responsible for the ship. There is a watch alarm on the bridge that should have warned if there was no movement. It was unclear to the disciplinary committee whether this alarm was activated. The mate cannot remember anything from the moment of passing a buoy until the sllision. The master's certificatee ess suspended for four weeks, two weeks of which are conditional with a probationary period of two years.

Shell dredger heavily damaged, barrier less

The "Eemshoorn" which had allided with the Easter Schleldt barrier at Neeltje Jans on Nov 5 at 5 a.m., remained berthed in the inner port on Nov 6 with heavy damage at starboard side and the crushed bow. The ship had been caught by the current on its way to the Roompot-lock and pushed unstoppable towards the Easter Scheldt Barrier where it got stuck broadside to a pillar of the construction. First on scene was the lifeboat 'Fred’ and found the ship stable for the moment. As the tide had already dropped one meter and it could not be ruled out the ship might capsized, three men were taken off and taken to the KNRM station in Neeltje Jans. The captain chose to remain on board. Antoher threat arose from the mast being caught in high voltage cables, so the police and Rijkswaterstaat decided to stop all traffic at the barrier. Then the mast came free, and when the tide changed at 7.15 a.m., the "Eemshorn" could be manoevred from the barrier and was guided by the "Fred" in safe waters from where it could proceed to the inner port of Neeltje Jans where it safely berthed at 7.40 a.m. The KNRM-boat "Koopamansdank" had remained on standby on the sea side of the barrier in case the "Eemshorn" would have been pulled underneath it. Inspections showed that the barrier had withstood the pressure of the ship much better than the other way round and sustained only small damage. The dredger proceeded to Terneuzen on Nov 14 and berthed at the Shipyard De Schroef at 2 p.m. for repairs. It sailed again on Feb 4, 2019, and heaed to Yerseke. Dutch report with photos: https://www.pzc.nl/zeeuws-nieuws/de-afdruk-van-het-schip-zit-op-de-kering~a540d7b5/

Dredger damaged in allision

The "Eemshoorn" allided with the Easter Schleldt barrier at Neeltje Jans in the morning of Nov 5, 2018. The dredger hit one of the pillars of the construction around 5 a.m.. The unloaded ship had departed from Yerseke in the night and then sailed via the Oosterschelde towards the dam. After the allision, the KNRM took three crew members off as a precaution. The skipper remained on board. Because of the tide the ship was pulled towards the barrier. Tge N57 crossing the barrier was cloased for traffic at 7 a.m. At 7.20 a.m. it could be freed and headed towards the inner harbor of Neeltje Jans, where it was moored at the quay. The bow of the vessel was crushed. Rijkswaterstaat and the police were investigating the cause of the allision. At 7.55 a.m. traffic was allowed to pass the barrier again. Dutch reports with photo and videos: https://www.pzc.nl/zeeuws-nieuws/baggerschip-tegen-oosterscheldekering-gevaren-n57-weer-vrijgegeven-voor-verkeer~a904a7d7/ https://www.internetbode.nl/regio/middelburg/algemeen/271466/onderzoek-naar-aanvaring-baggerschip-op-oosterscheldekering https://www.knrm.nl/nieuws/knrm-reddingstation-neeltje-jans/schelpenzuiger-botst-met-oosterscheldekering