One person was pronounced dead and two others were rescued following the crash, which occurred early Tuesday about 22 km southwest of the German island of Heligoland.
The search for the dead was called off overnight and will not be resumed on Wednesday, the German Maritime Rescue Society (DGzRS) said.
Rescue boats and aircraft involved in the search on Tuesday were unable to find the four missing crew members, and divers who descended to the wreckage of the Verity to check for signs of life found nothing.
Officials said the water temperature at the time of the collision was about 12 degrees Celsius, and experience shows people can survive in those conditions for about 20 hours.
Germany’s central maritime emergency command said the entire sea area where the sailors might be missing was searched again overnight without success, before rescuers called off the search.
She said the search would not resume on Wednesday, but emergency management would consider “what measures can be taken around the scene”.
The British-registered Verity was carrying a cargo of steel to Immingham, England, from Bremen, Germany, when it sank. It also had 1.3 thousand. cubic meters of fuel.
Two of the seven crew members were rescued, one was found dead, and the other four are missing.
The cause of the accident is unknown.
Polesie, owned by the Polish company Polsteam and flying the Bahamas flag, was on its way from Hamburg to A Coruña in Spain. Its 22 crew members were not injured.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, this ship docked in Kukshafen, northwest Germany; he participated in the search for survivors.
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Interview with Hans Müller, spokesperson for the German Maritime Rescue Society (DGzRS)
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Hans. Could you provide an update on the recent tragic maritime accident near Heligoland?
Hans Müller: Thank you for having me. Unfortunately, early Tuesday, we experienced a devastating incident where a vessel, the Verity, sank approximately 22 km southwest of Heligoland. One person has been confirmed dead, and two others were rescued, but the search for the remaining crew members has been quite challenging.
Editor: What challenges did the search and rescue teams encounter during their operations?
Hans Müller: The search operations faced numerous difficulties, primarily the harsh sea conditions and the water temperature, which was around 12 degrees Celsius. Our rescue boats and aircraft conducted extensive searches, but unfortunately, we were unable to locate the four missing crew members. Divers were deployed to examine the wreckage, but they found no signs of life.
Editor: What has been the decision regarding the ongoing search efforts?
Hans Müller: After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to call off the search overnight, and it will not be resumed today. The safety of our rescue teams is paramount, and given the current circumstances, we believe it is prudent to suspend operations for now.
Editor: Do you have any advice or thoughts for families and friends of those involved in the accident?
Hans Müller: This is an incredibly painful time for everyone affected, especially the families of the missing crew members. Our thoughts are with them, and we encourage them to seek support from loved ones during this ordeal. We are committed to providing updates as we have more information available.
Editor: Thank you for sharing this important information with us, Hans, and our condolences to everyone impacted by this tragic event.
Hans Müller: Thank you for your understanding and for bringing attention to this situation.
Editor: What specific efforts were made during the search operations, and why was it called off?
Hans Müller: Our teams deployed several rescue boats and aircraft in the area to conduct extensive searches for the missing crew members. Despite these efforts, we were unable to locate the other four individuals. The decision to call off the search overnight was based on the lack of any signs of life, and it is believed that the water temperature, which was around 12 degrees Celsius, could affect survival beyond approximately 20 hours.
Editor: That must have been a difficult decision for your team. Can you share more about the circumstances surrounding the collision?
Hans Müller: At this stage, we do not have conclusive information about the cause of the accident. The Verity was reportedly carrying steel from Bremen and had a substantial fuel load on board, which raises concerns. We are cooperating with authorities to determine the factors that led to this tragic incident.
Editor: Were there any additional resources or support utilized in the search and rescue operation?
Hans Müller: Yes, we appreciated the assistance from other vessels in the area, including the Polesie, which was on its way to Spain and came to aid in the search efforts. Collaboration among maritime operators is crucial in incidents like this, and we thank all parties who contributed their time and resources.
Editor: What happens next, now that the search operations have concluded?
Hans Müller: We are continuing to assess the situation and will review what measures can be taken at the site. Additionally, we are in communication with the families of the missing individuals and providing them support during this incredibly difficult time. It’s important that we also learn from this tragedy to improve our safety measures in the future.
Editor: Thank you, Hans, for providing us with this crucial information during such a tragic time.
Hans Müller: Thank you for having me.
