Classification
- Incident Type: Near capsize
- Vessel Type: Tug
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Smit Japan |
| Other Vessel | Smit Lloyd 120 (reported association) |
| Vessel Type | Tug |
| Flag State | Netherlands [NL] |
| IMO Number | 8521464 |
| Gross Tonnage | 236 |
| LOA (m) | 28.6 |
| Year Built | 1986 |
Historical records support the Dutch identity, build year and length. The same IMO is now listed as Leonardo, with 236 gross tons. Its later operator lists 31.6 t bollard pull and 1,760 kW power, but the 1996 configuration is not established. Conflicting breadth values are omitted. (De Binnenvaart; Rauma Cata)
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | |
| Approximate year | 1996 |
| Location | Maasvlakte / Hoek van Holland, Netherlands |
| Region | North Sea |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage |
Key facts
- The retrospective account places the event around 1996 near Hoek van Holland. (Compilation, Incident Summary)
- It says Smit Japan was secured forward on the starboard side while assisting an inbound tow involving Smit Lloyd 120. (Compilation, Incident Summary)
- The tow reportedly sheered to port, pulling the tug over. (Compilation, Incident Summary)
- The tug reportedly recovered after the crew operated the winch emergency control. (Compilation, Incident Summary)
Narrative
The Novatug-hosted compilation reproduces a recollection attributed to Han van Lith: Smit Japan was assisting an incoming tow involving Smit Lloyd 120 when the tow sheered to port and pulled the tug over. The account says the winch emergency control allowed recovery. It tentatively places Smit Polen on the tow's port bow; that vessel's participation is unconfirmed.
An included February 2005 forum request was unsure whether the tug in a reported video was Japan or Polen. A May 2005 reply identified Japan and described a near-capsize during an inbound tow at Maasvlakte. The compilation does not establish exact timing, casualties, pollution or damage. (Novatug-hosted compilation)
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Tow sheered to port | Reported | The retrospective account says the tow's sheer pulled Smit Japan over. |
| Emergency winch operation | Reported | The account associates use of the emergency control with recovery; its precise operation is not independently established. |
Source: Novatug-hosted compilation.
Investigation
The account is a compilation of recollections, not an official investigation report. No final causal finding or verified consequence assessment is available. Vessel registers and later operator specifications establish identity and particulars, rather than the occurrence itself. (Compilation; De Binnenvaart; Rauma Cata)
References
- Novatug-hosted compilation: Smit Japan near-capsize recollections
- De Binnenvaart: Smit Japan history
- Rauma Cata: Leonardo, IMO 8521464
Related
- North Sea
- Girding
- Tug Incident Classification
- Smit Japan