- The Postponement of Retrieval of Submerged Verity
The retrieval process for the submerged cargo ship "Verity" has faced setbacks. The ropes intended to drag the ship's bow from the ocean bed slipped back into the water, as reported by Marc Antony Rooijakkers, one of the salvage operation heads. Initially, these ropes were linked to the ship at the accident site, but the connecting point broke off. Now, divers have to retrieve the ropes from the seabed again and attach them once more. This operation is sensitive to weather and tide conditions, resulting in a substantial delay. "Our working window is minimal," Rooijakkers clarified. Originally, the final large segment of the wreck was planned for recovery today, but it's uncertain if this will still occur.
A large European salvage crane is being employed to retrieve the fractured wreck, according to the Bonn Waterways and Shipping Administration. This Hebo Lift 10 crane has a lifting capacity of 2,200 metric tons.
Last Friday, the rear section of the ship was retrieved. The vessel had been separated underwater into two halves for the salvage operation. Both wreck fragments will be secured on a platform, towed to the Netherlands, and disposed of appropriately. A 1-mile security zone has been imposed around the area due to the salvage operation.
The British-flagged motor ship "Verity," carrying seven crew members, collided with the cargo ship "Polesie" in the German Bight on October 24, 2023. The accident site is approximately 22 km southwest of the high-sea island of Helgoland and 31 km northeast of the East Frisian island of Langeoog. The 91-meter-long "Verity" sank after the collision. Authorities suspect that five of the seven crew members perished in the accident. Two crew members were rescued from the water at the time. The captain was recovered dead immediately post-accident, and another body was discovered in the salvaged rear section last Friday. Three crew members are still unaccounted for. The wreck lies in a water depth of nearly 40 meters and poses a threat to navigation. Despite the accident, the "Polesie," with 22 crew members on board, remained seaworthy.
The following setbacks in the retrieval process of the "Verity" have led to a delay in the final large segment's recovery, as announced by Rooijakkers. In light of this, the Hebo Lift 10 crane, with a lifting capacity of 2,200 metric tons, is now crucial for the operation.
