Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Eems-Warrior

In a notable ruling by the Disciplinary Board for Shipping, the captain, first mate, and second mate of the 'Eems Warrior' were held accountable for allisions with the Botlek Bridge and Spijkenisser Bridge that occurred on December 18, 2024. While circumstances such as one crew member's deployment to Ukraine played a role in the outcomes, all three received consequences ranging from fines to reprimands. The vessel was en route to Eemshaven for a pontoon pickup when the incidents transpired. The captain initially entered the wheelhouse to assume watch duty from the first mate but later had to step away for a brief moment. During this time, the ship passed under both bridges, which were closed, resulting in the navigation mast of the 'Eems Warrior' colliding with the bridges. The captain was back in command when the second allision occurred. An inspector from the ILT raised concerns, filing complaints against both the captain and the first mate for their roles in these incidents, while the second mate faced scrutiny for drafting the voyage plan. Notably, the third mate was criticized for failing to mention the need for the bridges to be open for safe passage. The inspector noted significant oversights, including ignorance of the 'Eems Warrior's' air draft and the bridges' clearance height when closed. The Disciplinary Board acknowledged most of the inspector's concerns but highlighted a discrepancy regarding the captain's responsibility to ensure the first mate was informed about the bridge openings rather than the other way around. Despite the gravity of the situation, no additional sanctions were imposed on the captain, who had already incurred a fine exceeding 600 euros from the Public Prosecution Service. The board respected this decision, with the ILT inspector recommending no further actions while emphasizing the distinction between criminal prosecution and quality control in disciplinary hearings. The first mate faced a reduced fine of 200 euros, lower than initially recommended, taking into consideration his return home due to family issues and unemployment, exacerbated by the allisions that prevented the extension of his contract. The second mate, ultimately deemed to have neglected his duties, was accorded only a reprimand, considering his challenging circumstances as a soldier on the Ukrainian front and low income, which likely impacted his contract status as well. This incident underlines the critical importance of adherence to safe navigation protocols and the responsibilities each crew member bears.