A video animation created from satellite data has retraced the path of tanker Seatrout, which ran aground near Antwerp after a collision with bulk carrier Usolie this week.
The incident occurred just before 0545 on 20 September after both ships came through the Berendrecht lock and were transiting the final bends of the River Scheldt as they made their way to the North Sea. No one was injured in the collision.
The animation appears to show Seatrout’s course taking the vessel along Usolie’s port side as both ships approached the town of Bath in the Netherlands. The collision looks to have occurred as Usolie attempted to turn to port and follow the course of the river with Seatrout continuing in a straight line.
Following the collision, 40,600 DWT Seatrout grounded within metres of the spot where CSCL Jupiter ran aground in August. The German-flagged tanker was unladen at the time of the event, and authorities determined no environmental threat to be present.
Tugs and patrol boats were on site to assist Seatrout shortly after the incident, but an initial attempt at refloating the tanker was unsuccessful. A second attempt was planned for the following high tide, with the ship listing to port by 15 degrees.
Shipping into and out of Antwerp was cancelled between 1400 and 1615, and six tug boats managed to pull the vessel free just before 1400. Seatrout was towed to the nearby port of Vlissingen, the Netherlands, for inspection and remains docked there, according to its AIS tracking data. The 188 m Seatrout was on its way to Russia’s Ust-Luga port when the incident occurred.
The 68,789 DWT Usolie had no visible damage and continued its route as far as the port of Vlissingen, where it was inspected, according to Zeeland Veilig, a regional body that chronicles safety incidents. Its AIS tracking data shows its position at the time of publishing to be near the port of Gothenburg, Sweden, en route to Klaipėda, Lithuania.
Local authorities are investigating the incident. The video animation of the collision and grounding was supplied by Genscape’s Vesseltracker software.
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purpose only. This may not be construed as a news item or advice of any sort. Please consult the experts in that field for the authenticity of the presentations.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: vesseltracker Germany on Youtube
