The situation is assessed hourly and people are prepared for various scenarios.
Rijkswaterstaat is closely involved in the developments around the freighter Fremantle Highway, where fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday 27 July 2023. Last Sunday they started towing the ship.
The tow started in the early afternoon when the smoke from the burning ship diminished considerably. Berger combination Multraship/Smit Salvage immediately seized this opportunity. An additional towage connection was successfully completed and two tugs are now moving the Fremantle Highway at a slow and controlled speed (approximately 3 knots, 5,5 km/h) to a new, temporary location. This location is located 16 km north of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland.
Residents of Schiermonnikoog and Ameland are following the news closely, hoping that the ship will be safely salvaged and that environmental disasters will be prevented.
During the tow, a team continuously monitors the stability of the ship. Rijkswaterstaat's oil recovery vessel Arca remains nearby, along with other vessels from both Rijkswaterstaat and Germany. These vessels are on standby in case of oil pollution. The expected arrival time at the temporary location is still uncertain, depending on factors such as weather, smoke development, current and tide.
Once at the temporary location, the tugs will remain connected to the Fremantle Highway to maintain control. Coast Guard aircraft and other vessels will continue to monitor the situation. Conditions at the new anchorage will be reassessed. Ultimately, the aim is to move the ship to a definitive port as soon as the situation on board the ship allows it. Which port this will be is currently unknown. The current move to the temporary location is a preliminary step in the salvage process.
Photo: Coastguard images
