Dutch Port Race Against Time Saves 73m OSV From Sinking at Dock
Emergency teams sealed a valve leak in the engine room of the Spanish-flagged Nautilus within hours.
Emergency teams in the Dutch port of Eemshaven successfully prevented the sinking of the Spanish-flagged offshore support vessel Nautilus on Monday evening after it began taking on water at its dock. The incident, reported at approximately 18:30 on October 5, triggered an immediate response from local authorities.
Regional emergency services, Veiligheidsregio Groningen, classified the situation as a Level 1 emergency after observing the vessel’s forward section sitting dangerously low in the water. The harbor master coordinated efforts involving police, firefighters, and salvage teams to stabilize the 73-meter vessel, which was built in 2001 and operates in the offshore wind energy sector.
Salvage Operation Restores Stability: offshore support vessel
According to Dutch broadcaster RTV Noord, the flooding originated from a valve leak in the engine room. While the exact volume of water entering the vessel was not disclosed, authorities confirmed the crew was evacuated as a precaution. Two crewmembers received medical checks for minor injuries, though no serious harm was reported. As part of the response, the Dutch national waterways authority deployed an oil containment barrier around the Nautilus to prevent potential environmental contamination.
Within an hour of the initial distress call, a private salvage team boarded the vessel to address the leak. Two tugboats were positioned alongside to provide additional support. Unconfirmed reports indicated the Nautilus had lost power, which may have complicated early efforts to control the flooding. However, by 23:00, the harbor master confirmed the leak had been sealed, and pumping operations were underway to remove the water.
Next Steps for Investigation and Recovery
Local authorities described the moment the vessel began to rise as a turning point, stating, “Gat is gedicht, het schip komt omhoog“—”The hole is sealed, the ship is rising.” The oil containment barrier remained in place until the vessel was fully stabilized, ensuring no further risks to the port or surrounding waters.
The port authority has scheduled a follow-up investigation for Tuesday, October 6, to determine the exact cause of the valve failure. The Nautilus, which plays a critical role in offshore wind energy operations, will likely undergo thorough inspections before returning to service. No timeline for its resumption of duties has been provided.
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