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Accidents

Scaldis (1961)

On 19 February 1961, Scaldis was taking part in an attempt to refloat the grounded Liberian tanker Aello near Liefkenshoek on the Scheldt. The tug overturned and sank during the operation, and two crew members died. The vessel-history account and the archived history De sleepvaart op de Schelde agree on the date, operation and deaths. [1][2]

Classification

  • Incident Type: Capsize unknown mechanism
  • Severity: High

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameScaldis
Vessel NamesScaldis / Aello
Vessel TypeTug
Flag StateBelgium [BE]
IMO Number5315034
Call SignORPM
Gross Tonnage401
LOA (m)49.84
Breadth (m)9.15

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date1961-02-19
LocationNear Liefkenshoek
RegionBelgium
Fatalities2
Injuries
Missing
Cargo Loss
Direct Damage
Economic Damage
Insured Loss
Salvage/Cleanup Cost

Key facts

  • Scaldis capsized and sank on 19 February 1961 near Liefkenshoek. [1][2]
  • The tug was assisting efforts to refloat the grounded tanker Aello. [1][2]
  • Two crew members died. [1][2][3]
  • Floating cranes raised the tug a few days later; it was repaired and returned to service. [1][3]

Narrative

On 19 February 1961, Scaldis was taking part in an attempt to refloat the grounded Liberian tanker Aello near Liefkenshoek on the Scheldt. The tug overturned and sank during the operation, and two crew members died. The vessel-history account and the archived history De sleepvaart op de Schelde agree on the date, operation and deaths. [1][2]

Floating cranes raised Scaldis a few days later. A separate vessel history records that the tug was repaired and returned to service. The casualty therefore involved a sinking followed by recovery, rather than an established permanent vessel loss. [1][3]

The accounts do not establish the towline arrangement, steering actions or forces that caused the capsize. Girding cannot be assigned from the towing context alone. Injuries, pollution and monetary damage remain unconfirmed.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
1961-02-19Scaldis capsized and sank while assisting the grounded Aello; two crew members died. [1][2]
A few days laterFloating cranes raised Scaldis. [1][2]
SubsequentlyScaldis was repaired and returned to service; the date is not given. [3]

Investigation

No formal casualty-investigation report has been identified. The cited historical accounts describe the operation, capsize and salvage without establishing the mechanism. [1][2]

References

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