Sailor rescued unharmed after dramatic collision with freighter!

Sailor rescued unharmed after dramatic collision with freighter!

Cuxhaven/Hamburg.A threatening moment for a sailor on the Outer Elbe has come to an unexpected, positive end. Despite a violent collision with a cargo ship, the skipper remained unharmed and was fortunately rescued.

The incident occurred about nine kilometers, i.e. five nautical miles, from the small island of Scharhörn. Around the morning, the 9.50 meter long sailing yacht sailing under the Cypriot flag collided with the coaster “Lotta” under the flag. This cargo ship was on a course from Rouen in northern France to Klaipėda in Lithuania.

Collision details

The cargo ship was barely damaged in the collision, while the sailing yacht suffered significant damage. The skipper, who lives in Hude, Lower Saxony, remained physically unharmed, but showed clear signs of stress and shock at what had happened before. Nobody on the freighter appeared to have been injured either.

The rescue workers from the German Society for the Rescue of Shipwrecked People were quickly on site. In the time until they arrived, the skipper was picked up by another sailing yacht who helped him so that his ship did not run aground on the nearby Scharhörn Reef. Ultimately, the damaged yacht was towed to Cuxhaven by the sea rescue workers.

This incident highlights the dangers associated with shipping on busy waterways. Sailors must remain vigilant at all times, especially around cargo ships that are significantly larger and cumbersome. Such a collision can have serious consequences and it is fortunate that no lives were lost in this case. Further information on this incident is available at www.abendblatt.de to find.