UHL Freedom suffers engine failure in North Sea, three crew injured

The heavy lift multipurpose vessel UHL Freedom suffered an engine failure in the North Sea on October 25, as it endured strong winds and high waves while at anchor some 29 km north of the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog. Three crew members were injured. Caught in force 9 winds and 5 m swells, UHL Freedom’s anchor began to drag; however, as the crew raised anchor to secure the vessel’s position, the vessel suffered engine problems. In these adverse conditions, the ship began to drift and roll, prompting an emergency alert to the Dutch coast guard shortly before 14:00 on October 25.

A helicopter was immediately deployed, along with a search and rescue (SAR) nurse, multiple Royal Netherlands Lifeboat Society (KNRM) vessels, the Dutch emergency tug Guardian, and the German tug Nordic. Coast Guard said that out of the 25 crew members onboard, three sustained injuries during the violent rolling. A helicopter transported two crew members to Groningen Airport Elde, where they were transferred to the University Medical Centre in Groningen.

By 18:35, UHL Freedom was able to restore limited engine power and was moving independently. However, the Dutch coast guard said its emergency tug, Guardian, remains on standby near UHL Freedom, while the remaining rescue vessels have returned to their stations.

The coast guard added that it is up to the vessel’s operator to decide where the vessel is heading next, while it continues to monitor the situation.

This story was originally published by Project Cargo Journal. Read the full story at Project Cargo Journal →