After freighter accident: Salvage of the "Verity" off Heligoland successfully completed

After the successful recovery of the tail section last week the floating crane "Hebo-Lift 10" was able to bring the front half of the "Verity" to the surface yesterday. The wreck section was first lifted in order to manoeuvre the waiting transport barge underneath. The salvage work at the scene of the accident took a total of six days. This was preceded by weeks of preparation, during which the 2600-tonne wreck, which was at a depth of 37 metres, was first cut into two pieces.

A dead body was found in the stern of the "Verity"

The stern section with engine room and deckhouse, which had been salvaged on Friday, was already on board the barge. During the subsequent targeted search for the four missing seamen, one body was found in one of the cabins and handed over to the federal police. This means that three of the crew of seven remain missing. During the search and rescue mission following the sinking, two people were rescued from the North Sea and the captain of the "Verity" was recovered dead from the water.

A particular challenge during the necessary dives was that it was only possible to work underwater when the water was slack, i.e. during the transition period between high and low tide. The cut-up ship is now being transported on board the barge to the Netherlands for scrapping.
Any remaining wreckage at the site of the accident will then be removed before the area can be reopened to shipping.

The investigation into the accident is already underway

The accident involving the "Verity" occurred in the early morning of 24 October 2024 at the intersection of the busy Terschelling-German Bight and Jade Approach traffic separation schemes between Helgoland and Langeoog. The British-flagged general cargo vessel was on its way from Bremen to the UK when it collided with the 190-metre-long, 24,000-tonne bulk carrier "Polesie" (flag: Bahamas). The "Verity" was so badly damaged that it sank within a few minutes.

The Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has already launched an investigation into the accident. The incident has been categorised as a collision resulting in loss of life. As soon as the BSU has completed this work published the results of this very serious marine casualty in a report become.