Five children were injured on Sunday evening after the sailing charter ship Storebaelt collided with the dredger Prins 3 near the Pollendam dam, just off the coast of Harlingen.

Rescue service KNRM reported that the children were hurt during the incident and taken ashore for medical checks.

Ambulances were waiting at the Harlingen rescue station, where the youngsters were examined for head bumps and other minor injuries. KNRM volunteers stayed with them, providing reassurance and care as the children were visibly shaken.

The Storebaelt, a 34.5-meter-long sailing ship built in 1928, was carrying 25 schoolchildren, five supervisors, and a dog at the time of the accident. The other passengers and crew members were safely brought back to shore after the incident.

The collision happened at around 8:30 p.m. in the main shipping channel.

KNRM director Arjen Mintjes told Radio 1 that two rescue boats were dispatched immediately and arrived within ten minutes. He said it was a head-on collision, something that he described as highly unusual in those waters. According to him, poor weather conditions, heavy rain, strong winds, and darkness played a major role in the crash.

The impact forced both vessels onto the Pollendam dam. While the dredger’s three crew members were unharmed, the Storebaelt sustained visible damage to its bowsprit.

The 65-meter Prins 3, which sails under the Panamanian flag, also suffered damage. KNRM later confirmed that neither ship developed leaks.

The Noordgat shipping company, along with KNRM, towed both vessels back to the port of Harlingen. After the situation was secured, the children and their supervisors were transported by bus to a hotel at around 1:00 a.m.

Reference: schuttevaer

Source: www.marineinsight.com