VB SEAL

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Shipping Disciplinary Board imposed a fine on the captain of the VB Seal after collision in fog

On Aug 22, the Shipping Disciplinary Board has imposed a €600 fine on the captain of the 'VB Seal' in connection with the collision of the tug with the oil tanker 'Gulholmen' (IMO: 9435703) on Feb 23. The tug was moored near buoy Maas 5, awaiting the arrival of the container mv 'Maersk Iowa'. However, due to dense fog, the vessel unknowingly lost its position, drifting back towards the north and crossing the course of the incoming 'Gulholmen'. The collision followed shortly thereafter. The tug started taking on water and was pushed towards the shore by other vessels. This released so much CO2 that several people became ill. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) accused the captain of not using the radar sufficiently to check his position. The Disciplinary Board followed this reasoning: although the radar was in use, the captain failed to determine whether the ship was maintaining its position. This would have prevented the 'VB Seal' from changing position. The captain, who retired three days after the incident, argued that he always acted carefully, had never previously had any problems with the authorities, and that other parties involved – such as the pilot and crew of the 'Gulholmen' – were also negligent. He argued for a warning at most. The Disciplinary Board rejected this. According to the ruling, danger to the crew's lives could not be ruled out, and the captain seriously breached his duty of care. The €600 fine must be paid within three months.

Six persons in hospital after inhaling carbon dioxide after collision

The 'VB Seal' was in collision with the Marshall Islands flagged chemical tanker 'Gulholmen' on the Caland Canal near the Europoort of Rotterdam on Feb 23, 2025, at around 2 a.m. After the accident, and suffered a leak with ensuing water ingress, The tug started to list to starboard side. The seagoing vessel and two other vessels pushed the tug against the quay in the Europoort to keep it afloat. They had to accelerate considerably, which released a lot of CO2. The exhaust fumes entered the ship, and six people on board became unwell due to the high carbon dioxide concentration. Four ambulances rushed to the scene, and four of the victims were taken to hospital. They were doing well under the circumstances. The two other injured people were checked on site by emergency services. The tugwas ventilated after which further action could be taken. To prevent the tug from sinking, pumps were also placed on board to drain out the water, and the ship could be stabilzed. The emergency services attended with large contingents. The Port Authority and HEBO Maritiemservice with the 'Hebocat 7' were on scene. The cause of the collision was being investigated. On Feb 24, the ship was moored in pos. N 51° 58' N 004° 07' E with the tug 'VB Tiger' (IMO: 9454888) alongside to stabilize it, later joined by the 'VB Beagle' (IMO: 9816359). Reports with photos: https://mediatv.nl/nieuws/nieuws/28090/sleepboot-lek-na-aanvaring-6-mensen-onwel-bij-hulpverleningsactie-calandkanaal-europoort-rotterdam https://www.tugspotters.com/app/content/2025/02/vb-seal-vb-tiger-vb-beagle-hebo-cat-7/# https://www.dehavenloods.nl/nieuws/algemeen/57284/zes-personen-onwel-na-botsing-sleepboot-met-zeeschip-bij-euro

Investigation into colision launched

The Dutch Safety Board has launched an investigation into the collision between the 'VB Seal' and a chemical tanker on the New Waterway in Rotterdam on the early morning of Feb 23. The flag state of the tanker is the Marshall Islands, the investigation body of the Marshall Islands acts as a ‘state with a significant interest. The tug was hit by the tanker in dense fog, sprang a leak and started to take on water in the accommodation area. To prevent the tug from sinking, the crew turned on the emergency fire pumps and, as a precaution, the ship was pushed onto a shallow by other ships. Exhaust fumes from the emergency fire pumps developed in the accommodation block, causing six people to feel unwell. As a precaution, four people were taken to hospital for observation, after which they were allowed to go home.