Synopsis:
A tragic sea collision between British cargo ship Verity and bulk carrier Polesie off the coast of Germany has left one crew member dead, two rescued, and four still missing. Rescue operations are ongoing, with the wreck found intact 30 meters below sea level. Around 4,000 metric ton of flat-rolled steel sank into the North Sea this morning after two vessels collided off the coast of Germany.The 3,676 DWT general cargo ship Verity, chartered to Casper Shipping, was carrying coil from ArcelorMittal Bremen into the UK's Port of Immingham for various buyers, according to market sources.
Article:
In a somber incident that unfolded in the North Sea, the British general cargo ship Verity collided with the bulk carrier Polesie, leading to devastating consequences. According to German authorities, one crew member has been confirmed dead, two were found alive, and four are still unaccounted for.
The collision occurred about 14 miles southwest of the island of Helgoland and 17 nautical miles northeast of the island of Langeoog. Rescue teams were quickly dispatched to the area, including sea rescue cruisers, emergency tugboats, and a Search and Rescue helicopter from the German Navy.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that more vessels joined the search later in the day. The wreck of Verity was located at a depth of 30 meters and is still intact. Divers and aircraft continue to comb the area in a desperate search for the remaining crew members.
Initial investigations into the accident suggest that Verity, which was traveling at a speed of 6-7 knots, should have yielded to Polesie, coming in from the starboard side at a speed of 12-13 knots. Verity's last transmitted Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal was at 0256 hrs GMT, indicating that the ship likely sank shortly after the collision.
Polesie, on the other hand, suffered only minor damage and its 22 crew members were unharmed. The incident is still under investigation, and details of the ships' routes and cargo are being scrutinized. Verity was carrying steel from Bremen, Germany to Immingham, England, while Polesie was on its way from Hamburg to La Coruna in Spain.
Verity had approximately 100 metric tons of oil onboard as fuel at the time of the incident, raising concerns about potential environmental damage. Various agencies and vessels, including the German Sea Rescue Society and the water police, are involved in the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
Around 4,000 metric ton of flat-rolled steel sank into the North Sea this morning after two vessels collided off the coast of Germany.The 3,676 DWT general cargo ship Verity, chartered to Casper Shipping, was carrying coil from ArcelorMittal Bremen into the UK's Port of Immingham for various buyers, according to market sources.
Financial implications of the incident are yet to be fully determined. Verity is covered by Dutch P&I provider Noord Nederlandsche Protectie Club, which reinsures all its mutual vessels in coordination with UK-based P&I club NorthStandard. The exact details regarding the hull and machinery insurance are not public.
Conclusion:
The tragic collision between Verity and Polesie serves as a somber reminder of the risks and challenges involved in maritime transportation. As rescue operations continue, our thoughts are with the missing crew members and their families. Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the incident and to prevent such tragedies in the future.
