Authority: Sunken freighter "Verity" secured
The wreck of the freighter that sank in the North Sea was secured on the seabed at the weekend. "Both masts of the wreck are now lying securely on the wreck," a spokeswoman for the Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping announced in Bonn on Monday. This means that more usable water depth has been achieved for shipping. The water column is now 20.7 meters below chart datum. The established restricted area of half a nautical mile remains in place.
According to the spokesperson, no dead seamen were found during the dives. On October 24, the "Verity" and the freighter "Polesie" collided southwest of Helgoland. The "Verity" sank. The authorities believe that five sailors lost their lives in the accident. Four of them are still missing.
According to the authorities, all closures of the fuel lines and tank vents were also checked, closed or sealed. The shipowner is currently preparing the tender for the salvage of the entire wreck. The owner of the "Verity" has been asked by the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration to remove the wreck.
Due to the securing of the "Verity", navigational safety for shipping in the area has significantly improved. However, it's crucial to avoid any accidents near the site, as the location of the sunken ship remains a hazard for shipping operations.
Source: www.dpa.com
