On the night of Tuesday to Wednesday, a yacht was reported to be on fire in the North Sea, sailing about 90 kilometres north of Ameland. Minutes after the report came in to the emergency services, the yacht sank.
It is currently unclear which yacht was involved and the number of people on board. The search operation has since ended. The police are starting an investigation.
Also read: New housing, modern ICT and a better traffic picture for Dutch Coast Guard
Cooperative search effort
The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service (DGzRS) received the report from a workboat nearby. It then informed the Netherlands Coast Guard Centre in Den Helder. A search operation was launched, with both the German Rescue Service and the Dutch Coast Guard deploying units. Working vessels in the area also helped in the search.
The Dutch Coast Guard aircraft was already flying a patrol and went directly to the location. They found the burning yacht, but saw no persons on board or near the vessel.
The location of the burning yacht was near a wind farm, therefore, several work vessels that were in the area soon helped in the search. Two lifeboats from KNRM stations Schiermonnikoog and Ameland also joined the search. The Germans alerted two helicopters and three lifeboats.
No identification system
The yacht had no identification and location system (such as AIS) switched on. The Dutch Team Maritime Police (TMP) is starting an investigation into the vessel and any persons on board.
Picture: The Coast Guard aircraft was already flying a patrol and went directly to the location (by Netherlands Coast Guard).
Also read: Sailing cargo vessel capsizes and sinks, two missing
