Trawler, tug collide in Kattegat

A shrimp trawler sustained damage following a collision with a tug in the Kattegat northwest of Grenen, Denmark, on Monday, May 6.

The trawler Moonlight had been sailing out of Rødvig with five people on board when it was struck by a tug towing a grain-loaded cargo barge at around 03:20 local time.

The impact left Moonlight with a hole in the port side just above the waterline and damage to the wheelhouse and the railing amidships whereas it remains unclear whether the tug and the barge sustained any damage.

Within minutes of the collision, Moonlight began taking on water and was in imminent danger of sinking.

The trawler’s crew sent out a distress call, which was duly received by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Skagen. Two rescue boats and a helicopter were immediately despatched to the scene of the incident.

The rescue boat crews brought pumps aboard Moonlight to flush out any excess water.

Despite the damage to Moonlight’s hull, the pumping by the rescue teams succeeded in keeping the trawler afloat long enough to sail to port in Skagen under its own power.

The trawler then sailed towards Skagen with two tugs as escort and moored upon arrival. It has since been awaiting inspection by representatives of the owner’s insurance provider.

The Danish Maritime Authority and the Maritime Assistance Service have launched an investigation into the collision.