AMICITIA

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Broken mast was rotten inside

Tme mast of the "Amicitia", which broke off in August, killing three German tourists, upon entering the port of Harlingen, was rotten for 3/4. This concluded the German Research Council for Safety after its investigation. The fracture surface on the mast was sitting on the bottom of mast had a stainless steel plate that was screwed against it. Under this steel plate water seeped inside which led to the mast core being rotten and damp. The mast had just a quarter of the solidity that it had to have. Unqualified repairs were also made at the boom. The Dutch Safety Board continued investigating the circumstances of the accident and did not substantively respond to the findings of the council. The Safety Board expected to present the first results in the summer of 2017. The council in its interim report pubilshed a warning for German shipowners. Charter ships with similar poles should be checked. Paul van Ommen, director of the Professional Association Chartervaart, was shocked by the interim report.

Clipper complied with all requirements

The "Amicitia" did comply with all applicable requirements, inspections and certificates when the mast collapsed on Aug 21. At this time, the mast is being studied by the TNO. The ship has not yet been released by the police so that the classification society could not yet get on board. At present, research was being done into the cause of the accident by the Research Council for Safety (OVV), the National Unit of the police and Inspectorate of Transport (ILT). The results of the investigations and the findings of the classification society may lead to changes in the test mode or to appoint special focal points for subsequent inspections.

Three members of German family killed by collapsing mast

On Aug 21, 2016, at 2 p.m. the foremast broke aboard the "Amicitia" (ENI-No.: 02203888) killing three German passengers. A large part of the mast and the main sail crashed down onto the deck upon the entry to the port of Harlingen. The victims belonged to one family. On the whole there were 12 German tourists aboard. After the accident which happened upon the return of the charter ship from a 2-day-trip on the Wadden Sea, it berthed at the New Willems Quay in Harlingen. Several ambulances and the fire rescue attended. They tried to resuscitate the victims, but to no avail. Among the others there were more injuries. The skipper and other crew members were taken to the police Station for interrogations. Dutch reports with photos and videos: http://www.omropfryslan.nl/nieuws/657133-update-drie-doden-bij-ongeluk-met-schip-harlingen http://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/nid25197-drie-doden-in-harlingen-door-afgebroken-mast.html https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2016/08/21/scheepsmast-breekt-af-in-harlingen-drie-doden-a1517270 http://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nederland/drie-duitsers-omgekomen-na-mastbreuk-in-harlingen http://nos.nl/artikel/2127408-drie-duitse-toeristen-overleden-na-afbreken-scheepsmast-in-harlingen.html http://www.omropfryslan.nl/nijs/657132-trije-deaden-ungelok-mei-skip-yn-harns