New podcast episode: How a 104-metre ship pushed a yacht into the quay wall
Antonia von Lamezan
· 26.06.2026
It is a quiet evening in the Danish harbour of Korsør. Kirsten and Detlef are just having their meal when suddenly the hum of an engine breaks the silence. "There's a loud noise outside – why don't you have a look out?", says Kirsten. Detlef stands up, looks out of the cabin window – and sees nothing but red.
Freighter out of control: seconds until impact
What Kirsten sees is the side of the “Olymp Trader”, a 104-metre-long cargo ship. It is already moving in reverse, about 30 metres away, heading straight for the quay and the yacht. At that moment, it is clear to the couple: this ship is out of control. They make their way to safety on shore and watch as the freighter ploughs backwards, smashing granite bollards, ramming lampposts and continuing to close in.
There is no time for manoeuvres. Four mooring lines are holding the Elan 45 to the quay; there are only seconds left before impact. Under this strain, the lines can no longer be released; casting off is out of the question. No warning signals are coming from the freighter’s bridge. Only the roar of the engine can be heard.
In episode 78 of the YACHT podcast, the yacht owners recount what happened in those few seconds, how they had the presence of mind to film the situation on their mobile phones to secure evidence, and how the collision left a lasting impression on them. The videos, which Detlef Kaack and a passer-by recorded on their mobile phones during the crucial moments, can be viewed at the end of the article.
The night after: Swells and a heaving mast
Immediately after the crash, the most important questions arise: Is the boat still afloat? Is the hull watertight? Is the structure sound? In the podcast, Kirsten and Detlef recount the first few hours after the collision, which are etched deeply into their memories.
There is a swell in the harbour basin; the boat is being tossed about. The broken mast sways, parts are banging together; there’s creaking, clattering and movement. The two of them have to weigh up their options: stay on board, secure the boat and keep an eye on it, or leave the boat and risk it sustaining damage out of control.
Systematic questions soon arise: How did things get to this point? Why was there no warning from the bridge? What did the cargo ship’s crew notice?
A test of the organisation and trust
The programme goes on to show just how deeply such an incident can affect people. “Now, when I’m below deck and I hear a loud engine, the images come flooding back,” says Kirsten Kaack. Sounds that used to be a natural part of everyday life in the harbour now initially trigger stress. At the same time, she looks to the future with confidence: “That trust will definitely return.”
Both describe how, despite everything, the terrifying incident also left a positive impression on them: the hull of their Elan 45 withstood the enormous stresses, even though the pressure from the cargo ship must have been immense. For Detlef Kaack, this is by no means just a footnote. “My confidence in this boat has grown,” he says.
After the accident: What happens next?
From the point of view of the police and the insurance company, the question of liability has been clearly settled, and repairs are already underway at the Großenbrode yacht yard. Find out in the latest episode what will happen next with their boat, whether the couple will carry on sailing despite the scare, and what lessons other sailors can learn from the incident.
You can listen to the YACHT sailing podcast with Kirsten and Detlef Kaack here
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