Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Glomar-Venture

In a recent analysis by the Dutch Safety Board, the unfortunate allision involving the 'Glomar Venture' with a foundation of Vattenfall's Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm, located about 24 kilometers west of Callantsoog on April 20, has been attributed to a sequence of misjudgments made by the vessel's watch officer. The report highlighted that the vessel was navigating with an outdated digital map that inadequately displayed the layout of the wind farm, showing fewer turbines than its corresponding paper chart. This digital navigation tool failed to provide a complete representation of the wind farm, leading to critical miscalculations. Compounding the issue, there was no dedicated lookout present, and the watch alarm had been intentionally deactivated. The 'Glomar Venture' was on a journey back to Den Helder from a North Sea work site after four weeks of providing operational assistance. During a routine watch change, the helmsman altered the vessel's course towards the periphery of the wind farm, resulting in a collision with a corner post. The helmsman, who was on his very first voyage aboard the 'Glomar Venture' despite having an extensive 20-year background as a captain on various other ships, admitted that the allision stemmed from a compilation of errors on his part. He had diverted the route to avoid what he perceived as significant shipping traffic based on the faulty digital chart. He rationalized that a lookout was unnecessary and left the alarm off, believing the captain, who was resting on the bridge, would be alerted by any noise if needed. In the aftermath of the incident, the shipping company embarked on a comprehensive internal inquiry in collaboration with pertinent government authorities. The investigation concluded that human error was the root cause of the mishap. Remarkably, the 'Glomar Venture' was fully equipped with all necessary navigational aids, and following a thorough review, the authorities did not find grounds for additional investigations. As a result of these findings, the shipping company has since enacted a series of corrective and preventive measures designed to avert the recurrence of similar incidents and enhance maritime safety.

The Dutch Safety Board has officially wrapped up its streamlined investigation into the recent allision involving the 'Glomar Venture' and a Vattenfall offshore wind turbine, situated 18 kilometers from the coast of Zandvoort. This incident occurred on April 21 and raised immediate safety concerns. Findings from the investigation are expected to be made public later this year in the forthcoming Shipping Accident Report. The Board determined that a comprehensive investigation was unnecessary, as the preliminary findings did not suggest any significant safety implications or lessons to be learned from the incident. It is worth noting that the 'Glomar Venture' incurred considerable damage to its bow; however, it has since undergone repairs at the Damen Shipyard, ensuring it is back in operation.

The 'Glomar Venture' experienced a collision with a Vattenfall wind turbine situated 18 kilometers off the coast of Zandvoort, resulting in damage to the turbine's lower structure. This incident occurred within the expansive Wind Farm Hollandse Kust Zuid, one of Europe’s largest offshore wind farms, extending from The Hague to IJmuiden. The specific turbine affected stands at a towering height of 225 meters and is positioned at the forefront of the facility. Hollandse Kust Zuid comprises four sections and features a total of 139 wind turbines. Preliminary assessments indicated that the collision impacted the turbine's foundation, identified by its yellow color. Following the incident, the turbine was halted and placed in a neutral state, allowing its blades to continue turning softly, preventing them from capturing any wind energy. As of last weekend, the turbine has been reinstated into operation, albeit at a reduced capacity of 50%. While Vattenfall is still investigating the cause of the accident, an initial inquiry is being conducted by the Dutch Safety Board. This investigation aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding that day and identify contributing factors. Depending on the outcomes, a formal investigation may follow. Currently, the 'Glomar Venture' remains docked at Damen Shipyard since May 15.

Repair operations have officially begun on the 'Glomar Venture' at Damen Shipyard in Den Helder. This follows a recent incident in which the vessel collided with a wind turbine in the North Sea, approximately 24 kilometers off the Callantsoog coastline. In response, the Dutch Safety Board has initiated an investigation to assess the circumstances surrounding the allision. The preliminary findings will determine whether a formal inquiry into the incident is warranted. The collision resulted in injuries to three crew members, including the captain, who sustained serious facial fractures and required several days of hospitalization. Thankfully, he is now on the mend. The 'Glomar Venture' experienced significant damage to its bow, likely due to a direct impact with the turbine's mast. Subsequently, the vessel was relocated to the quay of Het Nieuwe Werk in Den Helder for further evaluations and to document the initial damages. Currently docked at Damen Shipyard, the 'Glomar Venture' has an extensive history. Originally constructed in 1987 by Maaskant Shipyards in Stellendam and known as the beam trawler 'KW-88 Pelikaan', the ship underwent modifications for offshore activities in 2007. Since then, it has been an integral part of Glomar Offshore’s Helder fleet.

A serious incident occurred on April 23, when the captain of the 'Glomar Venture' sustained significant facial injuries following an allision with a Siemens Gamesa wind turbine located 24 kilometers off the coast of Callantsoog. Reports indicate that the captain's injuries were sustained when he fell and struck a bench, leading to serious facial fractures. Additionally, two crew members—a helmsman and a motorman—also suffered injuries, with one reporting several broken ribs from the fall. The crew onboard was primarily composed of Ukrainian nationals. Emergency services, including the Coast Guard and KNRM units, quickly responded to the scene. After assessing and treating the injured crew members onboard, they were transported to a nearby hospital. However, the crew members remain unapproachable as investigations continue. The incident occurred during a routine mission; the 'Glomar Venture' was en route to Den Helder after completing a job when the allision took place. Following the accident, the vessel remained docked at Het Nieuwe Werk in Den Helder pending a thorough investigation. Various authorities are involved in the inquiry, including the water police and the Environment and Transport Inspectorate. Once preliminary investigations are finalized, the 'Glomar Venture' is expected to be moved to a dry dock for comprehensive inspections to determine any additional damage. The vessel's insurance company is also playing a role in the investigation process. In relation to the turbines, the Siemens Gamesa offshore unit, an 11MW machine linked to a Vattenfall project, has been taken offline while damage assessments are conducted. Following the incident, the 'Glomar Venture' was directed to Oudeschild, where Damen Shipyards will perform further inspections. Authorities issued a 'Single Voyage Permit' for its departure from Den Helder, and representatives from both the National Unit (LE) of the water police and the Human Environment Inspectorate (ILT) had been aboard prior to the vessel's departure. For full coverage and photos, visit the report: https://www.noordhollandsdagblad.nl/regio/noordkop/noordkop-denhelder/de-glomar-venture-na-rammen-windturbine-naar-texels-dok-gevaren/60804778.html