Navy ship Berlin” rams the main lock in Wilhelmshaven!

Navy ship Berlin” rams the main lock in Wilhelmshaven!

An unfortunate incident caused a stir in Wilhelmshaven last weekend. The German Navy's task force supplier “Berlin” rammed the head of the lock in the north harbor. How North24 reported that the wheelhouse of the measuring point was completely destroyed by the collision. Fortunately, there were no injuries in the accident.

The incident occurred around 8 p.m. after the “Berlin” left its berth at 7:10 p.m. and wanted to enter the West Chamber. Apparently the ship, which is 174 meters long, had not been navigated correctly when maneuvering because its bow hit the head of the lock on the starboard side. This resulted in debris falling onto the lock gate rails, requiring the lock to be temporarily closed. Jade Diver divers have been tasked with securing the area and recovering fallen rocks, reports NWZ Online.

Consequences of the collision

According to initial information, the damage to the “Berlin” is minimal. Only one dent was found on board below the crest on the bow and no structural or technical problems were noted. The task force supplier was able to continue its planned training program at sea on Tuesday, which shows that the consequences for the ship itself remained manageable.

However, the destruction of the wheelhouse has noticeable consequences. A construction expert has been hired to plan the necessary security measures for the lock head, and it is planned to set up a container at the lock head as a control center. A similar incident occurred in 2017, when another task force supplier rammed a concrete porch while reversing into the west chamber, resulting in extensive repairs.

Maritime safety

Incidents like this also shed light on overall maritime safety standards. After numerous accidents in the past, such as the “Erika” and the “Prestige”, the EU has already passed several laws and guidelines to improve safety. These are intended not only to protect the ship's crew and passengers, but also to secure the fragile marine environment and the adjacent coastal regions, such as that European Parliament highlights.

It remains to be seen what lessons will be learned from the incident in Wilhelmshaven. There will certainly be increased focus on dealing with safety issues, particularly in relation to accidents involving naval vessels. The response of the Navy and relevant authorities will be critical to preventing future incidents. We'll keep you updated!