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Three injured on distressed ship off Schiermonnikoog
The ' UHL Freedom', enroute from Swinoujscie to Emden with 25 people on board, lost control amid storm Austen on the North Sea, about 29 kilometres north of the island of Schiermonnikoog, in stormy seas on Oct 25, 2026. The ship had been moored in anchorage area no. 9, when the anchor failed to hold in the rough sea. The crew wanted to haul in the anchor, but amid wind force nine, the ship ended up lying broadside to the waves and consequently started to roll violently, during which time three crew members were injured by falling on board. Among the injured were the captain and second mate. The Coast Guard launched an SAR operation from Den Helder, after the first mate raised the alarm and requested medical assistance. On its drift, the heavy load carrier nearly allided with two other anchored vessels, the tanker 'Oralora' (IMO: 9534066) and the offshore vessel 'Energy Paradise' (IMO: 9685762). Wind speeds at the vessel’s position were reaching force 9 on the Beaufort scale. The Coast Guard helicopter hoisted the captain and the 2nd mate and flew to Groningen Airport Eelde, where ambulances were waiting to transport the victims to the hospital. The captain was still receiving medical treatment on Oct 26. The 2nd mate has since been discharged from the hospital. The emergency tug 'Guardian' (IMO: 9637363) was deployed to the vessel on the afternoon. The German emergency tug 'Nordic' (IMO: 9525962) was also heading towards the ship. It would, however, take several hours for the tugs to reach the vessel. Three lifeboats have also been deployed from the KNRM stations on Schiermonnikoog, Ameland and Eemshaven, the ' Anna Margaretha', 'Koning Willem I' and ' Jan en Titia Visser'. Additionally, a helicopter as well as the German DGzRS-lifeboat 'Hamburg' from the station Borkum, were dispatched to the scene. The lifeboat 'Koning Willem I', upon arrival, primarily had to remain on standby—first to support a helicopter, and subsequently to await the emergency tug, amid wave heights of eight to eight-and-a-half meters, which the boat battled for five hours. The Coast Guard helicopter then dropped off a paramedic on board to provide assistance. As of 4 p.m. the ship was in pos. 53° 38' N 006° 12' E and navigating with limited engine power off Schiermonnikoog. The 'Guardian' arrived in the vicinity of the ship at around 7 p.m. and remained on standby. Consequently, the lifeboats returned to their stations at around 8 p.m., and the German emergency response units were also heading back to their respective positions. On Oct 26 as of 8 a.m. UTC, the 'UHL Freedom' was in pos. 53° 52' N 005° 48' E, sailing to Emden under its own power, where it finally arrived at 7.30 p.m. United Heavy Lift stated that there was no engine malfunction or machinery damage during an incident, disputing the Netherlands Coastguard's account of the event. According to the company, the wind had shifted and the crew planned to raise anchor and move slowly under the vessel's own power with its bow facing into the seas. The ship instead turned broadside to the seas. Its rolling produced high acceleration forces, causing both officers to lose their footing. The chief officer then sent a Mayday call for medical assistance. Reports with photos: https://www.dvhn.nl/regio/groningen/wadden/reddingsactie-op-noordzee-boven-schiermonnikoog-dolend-schip-nu-onder-controle-drie-gewonden/163586681.html https://waddenomroep.nl/schiermonnikoog/verklaring-rederij-kapitein-en-stuurman-uhl-freedom-gewond-geen-motorstoring/ https://www.rtvnof.nl/vijf-uur-in-de-storm-bij-schiermonnikoog-zo-beleefde-knrm-inzet-bij-vrachtschip/764813/?fbclid=IwT01FWAVN5i5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBXNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHvUgTdM84dewSGXzqLCqBKUvU8MmQSeH1BHWP0JlIeFZi1V6luWzQNSG68rJ_aem_EV6dLQf9WKsIy_40QuSR2g
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