Historical pilot schooner "Elbe No. 5" was rammed by containership and sank.
Frank Diegel
Marine-Pilots.com, trenz-ppu.com, New-Vessels.com, Pilot-Guard.org - Inspiring Maritime!
This ship is a legend: The pilot schooner "No. 5 Elbe" is the oldest operating seagoing ship in Hamburg. Furthermore, the "white lady" is a real beauty. That's why it's a tragedy what happened on Pentecost Saturday: The two-master collided with a container ship and sank!
43 people were on board the ship when it collided with the 141-metre-long container ship "Astrosprinter", which sails under the Cypriot flag and was on its way to the North Sea, at about 2 p.m. near Stadersand. Further details on the course of the accident are not yet available.
Average on the Elbe River: Five people injured, one woman severely injured
One thing is certain so far: five people have been injured, including one woman, according to the Situation Service. After the collision, the "No. 5 Elbe" was very quickly filled with water, so that the 43 passengers had to be rescued quickly from board. The Stad fire brigade and other helpers were quickly on the spot. The ship was secured with steel ropes to prevent it from slipping deeper into the Elbe. How the two-master is to be recovered is unclear.
The 37 metre long gaff schooner is Hamburg's last remaining seagoing ship from the wooden ship era. In 1883 the "No. 5 Elbe" was built at the Stülcken shipyard as a pilot schooner: The task of the ship was to bring pilots aboard such ships in one of the roughest sea areas of the world, the North Sea, which were on their way in the direction of Hamburg. In the 1920s, the adventurer Warwick Tompkins acquired the sailor and even circumnavigated Cape Horn with him in 1937.
"No. 5 Elbe" had just been renovated for 1.5 million euros.
Since 2002, the "No. 5 Elbe" has been back home again: The Hamburg Maritim Foundation discovered the pilot schooner at an antiques dealer in Seattle and acquired it for 800,000 euros. Most recently, it lay for eight months in a Danish shipyard and was overhauled for 1.5 million euros. Among other things, it received new outer planking and a new stern. It had only returned to Hamburg a week ago.
Translated article by "Hamburger Morgenpost"
Photos: Social Media, www.Lotsenschoner.de
Principal at "Shipmove"
5 年I don't think the word "rammed" is helpful or impartial.
Former Associate Fire Engineer at San José Fire Department in retirement
5 年Being an engineer and only partly cognizant of Rules of the Road and whether they vary per country.? I believe that some sailing vessel masters think they have the right of way when encountering a motorized vessel in all situations. When the larger vessel like a container ship which has restricted steering due to size, it has the right of way and the sailing vessel is actually the burdened vessel in this situation.? That being said, I'm not sure if this applies in this situation.? Someone mentioned an incorrect rudder command or response, but it does look they should have gone hard to port, but the video doesn't the sails enough to show whether that would have caused slack sails.? It still looks like port would have been the better option though.? It also seems that the beginning of the video was the point to react.? The accident report will be interesting.? Sad all they way around though.
Pilot & Loading Master at Angola LNG
5 年Very unfortunate for all involved.? Incidents like this can happen ANY TIME to ANYONE, no matter how well trained, diligent or professional.? Stand by for the 'Keyboard Judges'...
Master Mariner / Marine Consultant / MWS / Marine Surveyor / Superyacht exposure
5 年So fortunate that no one was killed in the incident. The investigation will prove an interesting read.
Director Business Development Maritime - at Hasytec Electronics AG
5 年Sad to say but it is 100% the fault of the captain of the sailing boat..., river is too small for such a long boat tackle against the wind up the river and handicapped in his maneuvers.