Working Conditions Aboard the Leader

The bulk carrier 'Coral Opal' made its way through the IJmuiden locks on January 27, ultimately docking at the Africa Port of Amsterdam in the early hours of January 28, around 2 a.m. Upon arrival, it was evident that the vessel had sustained significant bow damage. Meanwhile, the 'Maersk Etienne' has been undergoing repairs at Rigas Kugu Buvetava since January 19. This incident highlights ongoing maritime safety concerns as vessels navigate busy waterways.

On January 18, 2015, a notable maritime incident occurred in the Irbe Strait, where the 'Maersk Etienne,' en route from Rouen to Riga, collided with the 'Coral Opal.' This mishap took place near the Mikelbaka lighthouse around 8:30 p.m. According to the Latvian Naval Forces Rescue Coordination Center, both vessels were observed executing perilous maneuvers just prior to the crash. The 'Coral Opal,' having departed from Oglu Terminals in Riga on January 16 with a coal cargo destined for Amsterdam, sustained damage when it struck the starboard aft of the tanker. Fortunately, despite the severity of the impact, both vessels were able to continue their journeys without any report of injuries or pollution. A helicopter was dispatched to the site to monitor for any potential fuel spills as a precautionary measure. Following a visual inspection conducted by the patrol boat 'Astra - KA 14,' the 'Coral Opal,' which had encountered a crushed foreship and a leak in its ballast water tank, anchored off Ventspils on January 19. Meanwhile, the 'Maersk Etienne,' which sustained significant damage to its stern, managed to reach the anchorage of Riga by 11:45 a.m. on the same day before docking at Kugu Buvetava later that evening at 7 p.m. For further details, you can view supplementary Latvian reports and photographs linked here: [Latvian reports](http://rus.delfi.lv/news/daily/criminal/v-irbenskom-prolive-stolknulis-dva-gruzovyh-sudna-1710.d?id=45468866) and [Flickr photos](https://www.flickr.com/photos/latvijas_armija/sets/72157650375745975/).