An animation video released has tracked the path of the vessel before it collided with an oil platform in the North Sea on New Year’s Eve.
What happened?
On December 31, the vessel ‘Elsa Essberger’ reportedly struck the disused oil platform Q1 Halfweg located some 16 miles southwest of Den Helder, Netherlands.
The cause of collision has not yet been determined and an investigation is still ongoing on behalf of the district attorney’s office in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The Coastguard said, “Our investigation focuses on the fact that the tanker was within the safety zone around the platform. On the basis of the mining act, it is prohibited to [be] within a 500-metre radius of a [drilling platform]”.
Animation video displays event sequence:
It can be noted in the video, the sequence of events leading to the vessel colliding with oil platform.
Both the vessel and the oil platform experienced considerable damages to both the vessel’s bow and the platform’s support structure.
The tanker was reportedly travelling at more than 12 knots until roughly the time of the collision. It then appears to proceed at low speed and remain stationary for several hours before being escorted back to port in Rotterdam, where it arrived 2 January.
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.
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Source: Tanker Shipping
