Offshore vessel Nautilus was stabilized at Eemshaven in the Netherlands after taking on water in its engine room on 5 October, prompting an emergency response to prevent the vessel from sinking.
The incident occurred near the entrance to Julianahaven. Groningen Seaports said firefighters brought the situation under control before the vessel was brought alongside and water was pumped out.
Divers were deployed to inspect the source of the water ingress and sealed the leak. The vessel subsequently stopped taking on water.
Emergency services raised the response to GRIP 1 while crews worked to stabilize Nautilus. The crew left the vessel, while tugboats assisted during the pumping operation.
Rijkswaterstaat placed containment booms around the vessel as a precaution against possible pollution of the harbour water.
Two people were examined by ambulance personnel but were not taken to hospital, according to Groningen Seaports harbour master Jan Hein Meissner.
Meissner said preliminary indications pointed to a leak near a valve connected to the vessel’s piping system.
After the leak was sealed and the water ingress stopped, the immediate risk of sinking was brought under control. Responsibility for further handling of the incident was then transferred to Groningen Seaports.
