Vb-Seal

The 'VB Seal' was in collision with a Marshall Islands flagged chemical tanker on the Caland Canal near the Europoort of Rotterdam on Feb 23, 2025, at around 2 a.m. After the accident, and suffered a leak with ensuing water ingress, The tug started to list to starboard side. The seagoing vessel and two other vessels pushed the tug against the quay in the Europoort to keep it afloat. They had to accelerate considerably, which released a lot of CO2. The exhaust fumes entered the ship, and six people on board became unwell due to the high carbon dioxide concentration. Four ambulances rushed to the scene, and four of the victims were taken to hospital. They were doing well under the circumstances. The two other injured people were checked on site by emergency services. The tugwas ventilated after which further action could be taken. To prevent the tug from sinking, pumps were also placed on board to drain out the water, and the ship could be stabilzed. The emergency services attended with large contingents. The Port Authority and HEBO Maritiemservice with the 'Hebocat 7' were on scene. The cause of the collision was being investigated. On Feb 24, the ship was moored in pos. N 51° 58' N 004° 07' E with the tug 'VB Tiger' (IMO: 9454888) alongside to stabilize it, later joined by the 'VB Beagle' (IMO: 9816359). Reports with photos: https://mediatv.nl/nieuws/nieuws/28090/sleepboot-lek-na-aanvaring-6-mensen-onwel-bij-hulpverleningsactie-calandkanaal-europoort-rotterdam https://www.tugspotters.com/app/content/2025/02/vb-seal-vb-tiger-vb-beagle-hebo-cat-7/# https://www.dehavenloods.nl/nieuws/algemeen/57284/zes-personen-onwel-na-botsing-sleepboot-met-zeeschip-bij-euro

The Dutch Safety Board has launched an investigation into the collision between the 'VB Seal' and a chemical tanker on the New Waterway in Rotterdam on the early morning of Feb 23. The flag state of the tanker is the Marshall Islands, the investigation body of the Marshall Islands acts as a ‘state with a significant interest. The tug was hit by the tanker in dense fog, sprang a leak and started to take on water in the accommodation area. To prevent the tug from sinking, the crew turned on the emergency fire pumps and, as a precaution, the ship was pushed onto a shallow by other ships. Exhaust fumes from the emergency fire pumps developed in the accommodation block, causing six people to feel unwell. As a precaution, four people were taken to hospital for observation, after which they were allowed to go home.