The burning Fremantle Highway on the North Sea north of Terschelling.Image JAN SPOELSTRA/ANP
When to start towing the freighter depends, among other things, on smoke development and weather forecasts. But according to Rijkswaterstaat, it is likely that it will take place this weekend. The towing action will last between 12 and 14 hours.
Once at the intended anchorage, the situation will be reviewed. According to Rijkswaterstaat, the intention is that the ship will be towed to a port at some point. But which one is still unclear.
The collaborating salvage companies that are located around the burning cargo ship were on board on Friday to make a towage connection, so that it can be moved more easily. According to Rijkswaterstaat, the ship is stable and intact below the waterline. It also doesn’t tip over.
Temperature on board dropped
The towage connection was established by four employees of the salvage companies Multraship Towage & Salvage from Terneuzen and Smit Salvage (part of maritime service provider Boskalis), says a coastal watchman. “In the course of the morning, measurements by the recovery companies showed that the temperature on board had dropped sharply. This created a situation that was safe enough to board.”
Until now there was only an emergency connection between tugboats and freighter. According to the spokesman, the salvagers boarded the Fremantle Highway via the Multrasalvor 4 to make a towing connection via the top of the ship. “This makes it easier to move the ship and keep it under control.”
The salvage personnel did not remain on board, but returned to the salvage vessels.
Preparations for towing to the more eastern location have already started. Rijkswaterstaat calls the location north of Schiermonnikoog “a better starting position, which fits the various scenarios and the expected weather conditions”.
The Coastguard will provide shipping assistance. Rijkswaterstaat reports that no direct consequences are expected for the inhabitants and nature of the Wadden Islands.
Fire decreases
The ship is still burning, but the fire would diminish as would the smoke development. On Friday morning, according to both Rijkswaterstaat and the coastguard, the fire was already less intense than shortly after it broke out on Tuesday night. At that time, both services still took all scenarios into account.
The ship is currently located about 23 kilometers north of Terschelling, between the shipping routes across the North Sea, the coastguard reports.
2023-07-28 22:47:00
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