Disciplinary Hearing in Amsterdam Over Amadeus Gold Grounding
On February 12, 2026, a significant disciplinary hearing took place in Amsterdam regarding the grounding of the Dutch vessel ‘Amadeus Gold’ in the Odensefjord. The incident occurred on December 9, 2024, when the ship, loaded with steel plates and en route from Rotterdam to Odense, ran aground. The captain, who was present via video link from Curaçao, faces accusations of failing to adequately prepare for the voyage, contributing to the accident.
The captain had recently flown in from Miami and arrived in Rotterdam feeling fatigued. This exhaustion impacted the handover process with the previous captain, leading to a suboptimal transition. Upon boarding, the captain discovered that the crew lacked essential knowledge about the ship’s operations. During bunkering, the helmsman was unaware of the location of critical equipment, prompting the captain to delay departure until an engineer was brought onboard, a process that required persistent requests to the shipping company.
Further complicating matters, the ship’s Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) was missing the necessary navigation charts for the area. The captain found himself relying on visual cues, and when he attempted to call the 2nd mate for assistance, there was no response. With no lookout on the bridge and no pilot present—due to the captain’s prior experience in the area—he navigated alone. At approximately 1:30 a.m. on December 9, the captain misjudged the position of a red buoy and, unable to regain control, the ‘Amadeus Gold’ struck the ground at a speed of around six knots. It took five days for the vessel to be towed to Odense, where inspections revealed only minor damage.
When questioned about ignoring warning signs before the grounding, the captain expressed pride in fulfilling his commitments but admitted to making poor decisions. He also highlighted the shipping company’s role, stating he had requested to be relieved due to fatigue and crew incompetence just one day prior to the incident. The ‘Amadeus Gold’ is owned by De Bock Maritiem, a Dutch shipping company that primarily operates in coastal and inland waters. The shipping company did not attend the hearing, which will conclude with a verdict expected on March 27, 2026.
