In a devastating incident off the coast of Germany, a search for four missing sailors has been called off. The incident occurred when the British-flagged cargo ship Verity collided with another vessel, the Polesie, at approximately 5 am on Tuesday. The collision took place about 14 miles southwest of the island of Heligoland, in the North Sea. The Verity, carrying a total of seven individuals at the time of the accident, tragically sunk, resulting in one fatality. Two crew members were successfully rescued and are currently receiving medical treatment. Despite extensive search efforts, the remaining four crew members are still unaccounted for.
Rescue teams, including ships and aircraft, immediately initiated a search operation in hopes of locating the missing crew members. However, their tireless efforts proved to be in vain. Divers were dispatched to the submerged wreckage of the Verity in hopes of finding any signs of life. Unfortunately, their search yielded no results. The water temperature during the collision was estimated to be around 12C (54F), a temperature that people can typically survive in for up to 20 hours. Regrettably, the search and rescue operation yielded no positive outcome.
Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies decided to halt the search and rescue operation after an extensive search of the entire area where the sailors might be. Despite the use of various resources throughout the night, including ships and aircraft, the missing crew members were not found. Consequently, authorities concluded that the likelihood of locating them alive was slim. The German Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre officially called off the search and rescue operations.
The Isle of Man Ship Registry expressed its sadness and confirmed that the search and rescue operations had been terminated. It extended heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the Verity’s crew members. The registry acknowledged the efforts of everyone involved in the search and rescue mission over the past few days. Simultaneously, it affirmed its commitment to cooperate with the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in the ongoing investigation.
The Verity had been en route from Bremen to the UK port of Immingham when the collision occurred. The other vessel involved in the incident, the larger cargo ship Polesie, flying the flag of the Bahamas, managed to stay afloat and safely reach the German port of Cuxhaven. The cause of the collision remains unknown, leaving investigators to unravel the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident at sea.
As we mourn the loss of the missing sailors and extend our condolences to their families, it is crucial to reflect on the devastating consequences of maritime accidents. This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and dangers associated with seafaring. May this tragedy not only prompt further investigations but also lead to increased safety measures within the maritime industry to prevent such devastating incidents in the future.
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