In addition to having hit the Hollandse Kust Zuid Beta transformer station jacket, Vattenfall has reported the Julietta D has also collided with one of the foundations for the wind turbines yet to be constructed. The master and chief officer were arrested by Dutch police on Tuesday on suspicion of abandoning the ship too early. They have since been released, but remain suspects in the case.
The bulk carrier Julietta D collided with the tanker Pechora Star off IJmuiden after its anchor gave way in a storm on Monday. The bulk carrier suffered damage to the hull and was making water. The eighteen crew members were subsequently evacuated and the ship drifted into the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm later that day.
A salvage team of Smit Salvage was brought on board the bulk carrier at the end of the day and managed to secure a tow line to Boskalis’ tug Sovereign. On Tuesday morning, a second connection was made to Multraship’s Multratug 18 after which the vessel could be towed to the port of Rotterdam later that day.
Also read: Salvaged Julietta D arrives in Port of Rotterdam
Damage to transformer station jacket and wind turbine foundation
While adrift in the wind farm, the ship hit the jacket of the transformer station Beta. TenneT, responsible for the construction of the transformer station has said it will send a team to the jacket as soon as possible to assess the damage. The company says it will take about two weeks to map the damage and make a plan for any necessary repairs and cannot make any statements on whether there will be consequences for the delivery of the transformer platform.
On Wednesday, Vattenfall reported that one of the 34 wind turbine foundations had also been damaged by the Julietta D. The damage came to light during an exploratory flight on Tuesday. The company also says further inspections are needed to determine the extent of the damage.
Master and chief officer under suspicion
On Tuesday, it became clear the Dutch police had arrested the Julietta D’s master and chief officer. According to the police, it is being investigated whether they were right to abandon ship when they did and whether they can be held responsible for the damage the ship subsequently caused.
A captain and an officer must remain on board as long as possible and may only leave their ship in an emergency situation. The maritime police are investigating whether this was the case.
Also read: Salvage underway after two ships collide near IJmuiden, vessel adrift in wind farm [UPDATE 19:00]
Picture: Damage to the wind turbine foundation (by Vattenfall).
