Rapid response averts Dutch disaster

The containerships

Nirint Pride

and

MSC Nikita collided in the North Sea 12 miles off the Hook of Holl

and

. Fire broke out on the bow area of theNirint Pride

and

the MSC Nikita

began taking on water. Kotug’s

RT Spirit

,

SD Shark

and

RT Margo

responded immediately. Upon arrival the

SD Shark

started to fight the fire on board the

Nirint Pride

,

which was soon under control.

RT Spirit

and

RT Margo made connections with the MSC Nikita

,

from which the 25 crew members had already ab

and

oned ship in lifeboats as it was taking on water in the engine room

and

there was a serious risk of sinking. The Dutch Coastguard tug Waker

and

the tug Braveheart

,

operated by Svitzer Salvage

,

also arrived on site to assist.

While the crew were picked up safely

and

brought to Hook of Holl

and

,

an LOF salvage agreement was made between the co-salvors Kotug

and

Svitzer Salvage with the owners of the vessel.

With water leaking into the badly damaged MCS Nikita

,

immediate action was necessary. Helicopters

and

fast rescue boats were used to put Svitzer Salvage staff

and

emergency salvage equipment on board. Further salvage equipment was later delivered by the Svitzer tug Simson. Gear from the available salvage tugs was utilised to stop water ingress

and

pump out the vessel to prevent it from capsizing or sinking.

After stabilisation of the MSC Nikita by the Kotug/Svitzer salvage team at a shallow location in the North Sea

,

a Port Entry Plan was presented to

and

later agreed by the Dutch Government

and

Rotterdam Port Authority. Due to worsening weather conditions

and

the heavy list of the vessel it was a ‘one go’ situation to bring the vessel into the port as soon as possible.

TheMSC Nikita entered Rotterdam assisted by theRT Spirit

,

RT Magic

,

RT Margo

and

SD Seahorse

,

with the Kotug/Svitzer salvage team onboard the vessel. They were escorted by Svitzer’s Braveheart

and

the Dutch Coastguard ETV Waker

,

with support from the ARCA for oil pollution st

and

by. The MSC Nikita moored safely at EMO

,

Rotterdam Europoort

,

where some containers will be removed to lighter

and

stabilize the vessel further before bringing it to the ECT terminal for the discharge of containers.

The successful salvage owed much to effective cooperation between all parties involved

,

including Kotug/Svitzer

,

the Directie Noordzee

,

the Dutch Coastguard

and

the Port Authority of Rotterdam

,

which made port entry possible within 48 hours after the salvage teams boarded the vessel

and

started their work.