Salvage Completed for North Sea Cargo Ship Involved in 2023 Collision

The salvage of the cargo ship Verity, lost nearly a year ago in a collision in the North Sea, has been successfully completed, according to Germany’s Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSV). The wreck, located at a depth of approximately 130 feet, was raised in an effort to clear a key seaway and aid in the ongoing investigation. During the salvage, the remains of one missing seafarer were recovered.

The Verity, a 3,676 dwt vessel registered in the Isle of Man, was en route from Bremen, Germany, to Immingham in the UK with a cargo of steel coils when it collided with a larger bulker, the Polesie, on October 24, 2023. Of the seven crew members on board, two were rescued, while the captain’s body was recovered shortly after the incident. Four crew members, including the one whose remains were found during the salvage, were initially reported missing.

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Salvage efforts began earlier this summer, with the removal of the ship’s cargo of 187 steel coils. Preparations for the lift included removing obstructions and cutting the ship in half to manage its weight. The HEBO Lift 10, one of Europe’s strongest floating cranes, was deployed for the operation, using eight chains to lift the ship’s sections. In a delicate process, the stern section, weighing around 600 tons, was lifted, dewatered, and placed onto a barge.

The remains of one of the missing crew members were discovered in a cabin after the stern section was raised. The authorities are continuing to search for the other three missing crew members. Despite a minor complication involving a railing bracket on the bow section, divers successfully repositioned the chains, allowing the final lift to proceed. The bow section, weighing 580 tons, was also placed onto a barge for transport to the Netherlands, where both sections will be recycled.

The operation involved several vessels, including tugs, barges, and a floating crane. A final clean-up of the sea floor, which includes removing debris like hatch covers, will take place before a final survey of the area. The investigation into the collision is being led by the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch, with assistance from German authorities, but the final report is still pending.