Read Authentic Ratings for the Schotsman

In a significant ruling, the Disciplinary Court for Shipping has conditionally suspended the captain of the dredger 'Schotsman' for three weeks following a grounding incident that occurred on February 16, 2021, near Breskens. This suspension will take effect for a probationary period of two years; any further infractions within this timeframe could result in an additional three-week license revocation. The 'Schotsman' ran aground in close proximity to buoy VH-2, leading to a prompt transfer of part of its cargo to the barge 'Marlea'. This swift action allowed the vessel to resume its journey just an hour later. In defense of his actions during the disciplinary hearing, the captain stated, "Based on experience, I determined that it was safe to go through that area. I've sailed there thousands of times. While I recognized the presence of shallows, my familiarity with the secondary waterway led me to believe it was navigable." Despite his quick response, the disciplinary body determined that the captain had neglected his navigational obligations, particularly regarding the depth of water near buoy VH-2. The court emphasized that he should have been fully aware of the conditions before proceeding. Furthermore, it was noted that he failed to inform the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) about the accident, as instructed by a Rijkswaterstaat official who was onboard during the incident. The captain's failure to report the grounding raised serious concerns regarding his adherence to maritime safety protocols.

On June 29, 2016, at 1:20 PM, a dredging operation aboard the 'Schotsman' led to the alarming discovery of an explosive device. The vessel was promptly directed to the Commercial Port of Breskens, where emergency fire services quickly responded to the scene. Authorities set up a safety perimeter to ensure public safety while the situation was assessed. Later that evening, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team arrived to investigate the grenade on-site, maintaining a secure area until it could be properly handled. For more details, check out the Dutch report featuring video coverage: http://www.hvzeeland.nl/nieuws/29818-explosief-gevonden-op-schip-breskens/