What Crew Members Say About Coral-Ivory

The German Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has released a comprehensive investigation report detailing the collision incident involving the 'Siderfly' and 'Coral Ivory', which occurred on October 28, 2013, in the Kiel Canal. This crucial report sheds light on the factors contributing to the accident and the subsequent findings that followed. For those interested in reviewing the report in English, it is available for download at the following link: [Investigation Report](http://www.bsu-bund.de/SharedDocs/pdf/EN/Investigation_Report/2016/Investigation_Report_330_13.pdf?__blob=publicationFile).

On the morning of October 29, authorities convened in Brunsbüttel to address the salvage operations for the stricken cargo vessel 'Siderfly'. This meeting involved representatives from the Casualty Command Cuxhaven, the Water Authority Brunsbüttel, insurers, and salvage companies, as they strategized the next steps for the incident that unfolded the previous day. The Elbe–Lübeck Canal remained closed until at least noon, leaving approximately 40 vessels stranded on either side waiting for transit at Kiel and Brunsbüttel. The 'Siderfly', which was transporting urea, had been observed shifting positions after the events of October 28, raising concerns about the safety of a rapid reopening of the canal. The vessel was taking on water in both of its cargo holds, but diving teams could not commence leak repairs due to the vessel's instability and the need to work beneath its listing hull. Operations were restricted, allowing only specially trained boarding teams to operate on the deck of the ship. In the late hours, the salvage operation intensified as the tug 'Luchs', which had been assisting the 'Siderfly' alongside the tug 'Wolf', was replaced with the more powerful 'Bugsier 20'. The 'Bugsier 15' was also dispatched, and preparations were underway in Bremerhaven for the sheerleg 'Enak', which could only make its way to Brunsbüttel after weather conditions improved. The local salvage company Hans Schramm, equipped with the tug 'Helmut', anchors, and additional salvage gear, joined forces with the Water and Shipping Authority Brunsbüttel, who mobilized their crane ship 'SG 1353' and workboat 'Mittelgrund'. Amid these efforts, it remained uncertain how much gas oil had leaked from a breached tank, as strong winds resulted in contaminated water overwhelming barriers set up by fire rescue at the ferry point Kudensee. Additionally, the police in Brunsbüttel initiated investigations concerning the 'Coral Ivory', which had departed the communal port Ostermoor loaded with ammonia when it collided with the bow of the 'Siderfly' while navigating into the canal. Although the 'Coral Ivory' sustained only minor damage, its crew was questioned by authorities. For more detailed updates, please refer to the German report with accompanying photos here: http://www.kn-online.de/Schleswig-Holstein/Aus-dem-Land/Nord-Ostsee-Kanal-weiter-gesperrt.

A grave incident unfolded early this morning in the Kiel Canal, where the cargo ship 'Siderfly' encountered a perilous situation after a collision with the tanker 'Coral Ivory.' The accident occurred at approximately 3 a.m. near km 6.5 south of Kudensee, as 'Siderfly' was making its way to Antwerp while 'Coral Ivory' was en route to Terneuzen-Uusikaupunki. The collision left the cargo vessel listing dangerously at a 45-degree angle to port and breached on its left side, raising fears of an imminent sinking. In response to the emergency, both the Kiel and Brunsbüttel lock pairs were closed following the crash. Reports indicate that the bulbous bow of 'Coral Ivory' inflicted two significant leaks measuring 3x5 meters each on 'Siderfly.' Salvage teams sprang into action, working tirelessly to stabilize the compromised vessel, while oil booms were deployed to mitigate environmental hazards. Fortunately, all 29 crew members aboard both ships emerged unscathed. The 'Siderfly' crew consisted of nine sailors hailing from Ukraine and Russia, while 'Coral Ivory' was captained by a Dutch national and included 18 other Russian and Ukrainian crew members. Both vessels were transporting fertilizer at the time of the incident. The situation on the scene is being coordinated by the German casualty command, who is overseeing the salvage operations. As the authorities respond to the aftermath of this maritime incident, several media outlets have provided ongoing coverage, featuring photos and videos that capture the unfolding situation. For more details, visit these links: [KN Online](http://www.kn-online.de/Schleswig-Holstein/Aus-dem-Land/Auf-dem-Nord-Ostsee-Kanal-sind-am-fruehen-Montagmorgen-zwei-Schiffe-zusammengestossen), [NDR](http://www.ndr.de/regional/schleswig-holstein/schleusenok103.html), [SHZ](http://www.shz.de/schleswig-holstein/panorama/schiffe-kollidiert-nord-ostsee-kanal-gesperrt-id3901726.html), [Mopo](http://www.mopo.de/umland/montagmorgen-schiffe-auf-nord-ostsee-kanal-kollidiert---vollsperrung,5066728,24805308.html), [Boyens Medien](http://zeitungen.boyens-medien.de/aktuelle-nachrichten/zeitung/artikel/nok-siderfly-mit-starker-schlagseite.html), and [Spiegel](http://www.spiegel.de/panorama/sinkender-frachter-nach-kollision-auf-nord-ostsee-kanal-a-930387.html).