Working Conditions Aboard the Kvitsand

In the early hours of May 14, 2017, the freighter 'Belterwiede,' traveling from Gdansk to Dunkerque, encountered an unexpected incident on the Kiel Canal. The vessel veered off its navigational path at canal kilometer 23.5, colliding with the western embankment at approximately 2:15 a.m. Fortunately, within five minutes, the crew managed to reverse the ship using its own power and continued its journey to Brunsbüttel, where it docked at 5:15 a.m. for further investigation and renewal of its class certificates. The ship was given the green light to depart at 4 p.m. with a new estimated time of arrival in Dunkerque set for May 16 at 1 a.m. Investigations revealed that the grounding occurred due to the misuse of the automatic steering system. The pilot had switched to manual control only when other vessels approached, leading to excessive rudder movement that caused the ship to veer off course. As a result, both the first officer and the pilot faced potential administrative penalties, with the officer required to pay a security deposit of 500 Euros.