North Sea Collision Takes Lives of Four Sailors

In the collision that happened last night (Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012) between a car carrier and a containership where the car carrier sank off the Dutch coast four sailors died, thirteen were rescued and seven sailors are still missing, Reuters reports.

Coastguard spokesman Peter Westenberg told BBC that three boats from the Royal Dutch Sea Rescue Organization, two navy vessels, four helicopters and one coastguard aircraft were being used in the rescue operation in the North Sea.

The Dutch coastguard was forced to suspend the search for missing sailors last night due to strong winds, high seas and low visibility. Although the chances to find missing crew members in the current weather conditions are very slight, the search mission has been resumed this morning.

There is no information about the cause of the collision. Reportedly, containership Corvus J was on its way from Cyprus to Antwerp, Belgium when the accident happened. The container is still at the accident site, it is damaged but not in danger of sinking.

Car Carrier Baltic Ace is now under water and the coastguard is trying to locate its position, Reuters informs citing a coastguard official.

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World Maritime News Staff, December 6, 2012