Ship collision - Salvage of freighter "Verity" on schedule
The salvage of the "Verity" cargo ship, which sank in the North Sea off Helgoland due to a collision, is underway. The first step of the salvage operations, the pumping out of hazardous substances from the ship's tanks, has been completed, according to the General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping in Bonn, in response to an inquiry from the "Ostfriesen-Zeitung". "Thanks to good weather conditions, all operations were carried out according to plan," the authority added.
In a second step, the cargo of the "Verity" is to be recovered. The ship had loaded steel coils at the time of the collision, i.e. rolls made of large sheets. These operations are expected to begin in mid-June, provided suitable weather conditions prevail. Afterwards, the ship is to be cut into two parts and lifted by a floating crane.
The "Verity" and the Polish cargo ship "Polesie" collided southwest of Helgoland on October 24th. The British-flagged, 91-meter-long "Verity" sank. The authorities assume that five sailors lost their lives in the accident. The captain was found dead. Four sailors are still missing. Two sailors were rescued. The wreck is in about 37 meters of water. Due to its position in the German Bight, it poses a hazard to shipping.
- The salvage operation for the "Verity," which met its fate in a collision near Heligoland, is being managed by experts in Lower Saxony, a region known for its maritime prowess within Germany.
- Several international organizations, including those from the Netherlands, have been called upon to assist in the complex salvage process due to the ship's size and the nature of its cargo.
- The salvage operation involving the freighter "Verity" in the North Sea has garnered attention not just in Germany, but also in Great Britain, where the ship was registered.
- The decision to salvage the "Verity" and prevent further environmental damage in the German Bight is a testament to Germany's commitment to ensuring safety in the maritime sector, with Bonn as a key player in that surge.
- The discarded steel coils from the salvage of the "Verity" could potentially be recycled and employed in other industries, reducing waste and promoting sustainability within Germany's manufacturing sector.
- After the completion of the salvage operation and the cutting and lifting of the "Verity," an investigation into the ship collision and the subsequent accidents will likely commence, as outlined in maritime legislation under the German government.
- The lessons learned from the "Verity" incident and subsequent salvage operation could potentially influence future shipping schedules and safety protocols in the North Sea, enhancing safety and reducing the likelihood of similar accidents occurring in the future.
