Tugs Rescue Abandoned Bulk Carrier Off Dutch Coast -Update

Update 4: A coastguard update as of 21:13 local time said the situation was stable with the Sovereign tug still connected to Julietta D. Rescue crews are awaiting calmer weather and daylight before the ship will be towed to the Port of Rotterdam.

Update 3: The tow connection between Julietta D and Multratug 18 has been broken. The connection with the Sovereign tug is still intact, a 19:53 update said. Multratug 18 will attempt to reconnect.

Update 2: A tow connection has been established between the abandoned bulk carrier ‘Julietta D’ and Belgian salvage tug ‘Sovereign’ and Dutch tug ‘Multratug 18’, the coastguard said in an update as of 19:36 local time.

Update 1: An update at 18:44 local time said a tow connection had not yet been established as the bulk carrier continues to drift just a few miles from the coast.

January 31, 2022 – A major rescue operation is underway for an abandoned bulk carrier taking on water off the Netherlands.

The Dutch coastguard is responding to an adrift bulk carrier that earlier collided with an oil/chemical tanker off the coast of IJmuiden, Netherlands.

The unladen bulk carrier, Julietta D, was reported adrift in the vicinity of the Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm, the coastguard reported. All 18 crew members have been evacuated and the ship is reported to be taking on water.

Earlier, the Julietta D collided with the chemical tanker Pechora Star at the IJmuiden anchorage. Perchora Star is reported to be stable and has not lost any cargo, the coastguard said.

The incident comes as “Storm Corrie” has produced winds up to 75 m.p.h. in the North Sea.

Several coastguard lifeboats and helicopters have participated in the response. The Belgian Coast Guard also provided assistance.

First photo of Julietta D, together with a rescue vessel and a tug pic.twitter.com/yBhu3L2CwE

— Aerospace Intelligence (@space_osint) January 31, 2022

An update from the Dutch coastguard said the Julietta D has struck a platform foundation, resulting in unknown damage.

AIS from MarineTraffic.com showed the Julietta D located about 10-15 nautical miles off the coast. The data shows a SAR tug with the Julietta D, although it’s not clear if the two vessels are connected.

Video released by the coastguard shows the bulk carrier rolling heavily during the rescue:

Hierbij een indruk van hoe de evacuatie van de bemanningsleden van het stuurloze schip ging. Hierbij werden meerdere SAR-helikopters @NhvHelicopters en 1 helikopter vd Belgische Kustwacht @agentschapMDK ingezet. pic.twitter.com/2OyFsvAq0H

— Kustwacht Nederland (@Kustwacht_nl) January 31, 2022

An update from the coastguard said the shipowner has arranged for a tow of the Julietta D. A SAR helicopter is expected to drop a crew on board to assist with the tow connection.

Photos released by the coastguard show damage to the Julietta D.

Damage to the Julietta D, which is abandoned and adrift near the Dutch coast pic.twitter.com/vjRLIEmxVU

— Mike Schuler (@MikeSchuler) January 31, 2022

Today, in stormy weather, a @bearforce #NH90 performed a #rescue operation after the collision of 2 ships. 6 seamen were evacuated from one of the vessels, 12 others were rescued by other means. (Images taken by the crew of the NH90 helicopter upon arrival at the scene) pic.twitter.com/VFsNUqCQ6x

— Belgian Air Force?? (@BeAirForce) January 31, 2022