United Heavy Lift has said its heavy-lift vessel UHL Freedom suffered no engine malfunction or machinery damage during an incident in the North Sea on Sunday, October 25. The statement disputes the Netherlands Coastguard's account of the event.
The operator attributed the injuries to two crewmembers to severe rolling while the vessel was weighing anchor about 29 kilometres north of the Wadden island of Schiermonnikoog.
According to the company, the wind had shifted and the crew planned to raise anchor and move slowly under the vessel's own power with its bow facing into the seas. The ship instead turned broadside to the seas. Its rolling produced high acceleration forces, causing both officers to lose their footing. The chief officer then sent a Mayday call for medical assistance.
The coastguard had earlier reported that the vessel's anchor was dragging and that the ship developed engine problems as the crew recovered it.
The coastguard evacuated the master and second officer by helicopter. The master continues to receive medical care and is stable. The second officer has been released from hospital.
"The crew managed to bring the vessel's bow back into the seas and completed the anchor-weighing operation," United Heavy Lift said. "Since then, the vessel has been controlled, proceeding slowly under its own power, maintaining its bow into the seas."
The company said the vessel remains fully operational and is proceeding to Emden. It reported neither pollution nor damage to cargo.
UHL Freedom is a 149.99-metre heavy-lift vessel built in 2021. She sails under the Portuguese flag.