Working Conditions Aboard the Ns-Holland

On November 19, 2017, maritime authorities in Brunsbüttel discovered the 'NS Holland,' a cargo vessel en route from Helsingborg to Greece, was markedly overloaded. The vessel's draught exceeded the legal limit by 20 centimeters, translating to an excess weight of 167 tons of fertilizer. As a result, the ship was detained by the local water police in Brunsbüttel. A safety deposit of €1,400 was required, prompting the initiation of an investigation by the police. The 'NS Holland' was anchored at the South Anchorage off Brunsbüttel and was subjected to a port state control on November 20. By November 23, it remained anchored on the Elbe. The ship finally docked at Glückstadt on November 28 to unload the surplus cargo. After the excess cargo was removed, the vessel set sail once again on November 29 at 11 a.m., with its next destination being Nea Karvali, expected to arrive on December 17.

On the morning of December 7, 2016, the cargo ship 'Sea Ems' encountered difficulties in the English Channel, situated to the south of Fowey. The vessel, unable to navigate under its own power, started drifting until the tug 'SD Mars' (IMO: 9476329) came to its rescue around 3 p.m. The towage operation progressed at a steady rate of 4 to 5 knots, leading the convoy safely into port by 7:30 p.m. At the time of the incident, 'Sea Ems' was on a voyage from Howdendyke to Limerick.