KMS TERRAMARE
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645 days ago
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Former German landing craft still ashore 1,5 years after grounding
The KMS 'Terramare' was still ashore on July 1, 2026, about 18 months after she was refloated and brought to safety after she grounded on Newgale Beach on Jan 14, 2025. The ship, a former German Navy tank landing craft, purpose built for coastal operations and beach landings, had been working on behalf of Vodafone, supporting the installation of a subsea data cable between Ireland and Brawdy. The project formed part of a significant investment to strengthen digital connectivity and improve network resilience across Wales. The casualty was towed into Pembroke Dock by the tug 'Forth Trojan' then.
Survey ship grounded on Newgale Beach
On Jan 14, 2025, the KMS 'Terramare', while involved in work involving connecting high speed fibre optic cables from Ireland to Brawdy Business Park on behalf of Vodafone, suffered an engine failure and ran aground broadside in pos. 51° 51' N 005° 08' W at the Newgale Beach in Pembrokeshire, with waves pounding its deck and flashes of electrical arcing visible on board. The RNLI lifeboat 'Norah Wortley' was mobilized by the HM Coastguard at 6:28 p.m. and launched at 6:40 p.m. to Newgale where three to five foot surf waves were landing on the shingle ridge at high tide. The daughter boat was launched to assess the situation at the survey ship, whjch was broadside onto the pebbles with waves inundating the deck. Following a request for salvage pumps, the Coxswain Will Chant requested the assistance of the Little and Broad Haven D Class lifeboat to assist with pump transfer. Sea conditions ruled out this option so consideration was given to setting up a towline. Due to the size and weight of the stricken vessel, concerns over water ingress and its position on the pebbles, the decision was taken to not compromise the safety of the lifeboats and volunteer crew. The vessel’s crew were well and able to alight by foot onto the shingle ridge, at which point the lifeboats were stood down and returned to station, with the 'Norah Wortley' back and readied for service by 8:20 p.m. Reports with photos: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/january/15/survey-vessel-aground-at-newgale-requires-rnli-assistance https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/24859211.huge-boat-left-stranded-newgale-beach-failed-rescue/ https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/105132/survey-vessel-stranded-at-newgale-beach-prompts-rnli-response/
Ship refloated and intentionally beached again
The 'KMS Terramare', which was stranded at Newgale Beach on Jan 14, was successfully refloated on the evening of Jan 15. The St Davids Lifeboat was called out at 7:59 p.m. to provide salvage pumps and escort the vessel towards Milford Haven. Despite assistance from the Angle RNLI and local Coastguard teams, the attempt to enter the Port of Milford Haven was denied, forcing it to return towards Broad Haven, where it was anchored. The St Davids Lifeboat returned to station at 4:10 a.m. However, the lifeboats were called out for a third time at 10:35 a.m. to assist the 'KMS Terramare', which was intentionally beached on the morning of Jan 15 on the outgoing tide. Pollution experts were on alert as concerns mount over potential environmental risks. instead anchoring off Broad Haven. On Jan 17, with additional salvage pumps, the vessel finally made it to Pembroke Dock under the supervision of a tug and with no further need for lifeboat support. The ship was conducting operations on behalf of Vodafone, surveying subsea cables to connect high-speed fibre optic services from Ireland to Brawdy Business Park. Vodafone confirmed the vessel was managed by a licensed subcontractor. Reports with photos: https://rnli.org/news-and-media/2025/january/17/multi-rnli-assistance-for-stricken-survey-vessel https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/105190/stricken-vessel-now-off-broad-haven-as-pollution-experts-stand-by/ https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/24862289.st-davids-angle-lifeboats-launched-newgale-survey-boat/ https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3799701?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest https://www.shipspotting.com/photos/3809009?navList=gallery&category=39&page=1&viewType=normal&sortBy=newest
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