Classification
- Incident Type: Cargo Loss
- Severity: Medium
- Classification basis: A crane carried on the towed pontoon was lost overboard and became a navigation obstruction.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | RT Leader |
| Vessel Type | Tug |
| Flag State | Malta [MT] |
| IMO Number | 9489962 |
| MMSI | 248187000 |
| Call Sign | 9HA2235 |
| Gross Tonnage | 462 |
| LOA (m) | 31.63 |
| Breadth (m) | 12.00 |
| Owner/Operator | Elisabeth Ltd / Kotug |
| Year Built |
Rijnmond identifies the historical Malta flag. The historical ITU record supports the radio identity and gross tonnage; Binnenvaart gives the dimensions and a 2010 ownership entry. Binnenvaart records construction in 2010 and a naming ceremony in June 2011; the construction year remains unconfirmed. Rijnmond, ITU List V, Binnenvaart
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2011-12-19 |
| Location | North Sea, approximately 35 km southwest of IJmuiden, Netherlands |
| Coordinates | |
| Region | North Sea |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage |
Key facts
- The pontoon carried three cranes from Amsterdam toward Uniport in Rotterdam's Waalhaven.
- One crane was lost early on 19 December 2011.
- Rijnmond described it as 52 m high, 33 m wide and weighing 300 tonnes.
- The Netherlands Coast Guard warned shipping about the obstruction in water reported as 19 m deep.
- RT Leader reached Rotterdam; Rijnmond said the lost crane still required recovery.
Rijnmond's contemporary account supports these facts.
Narrative
RT Leader was towing a pontoon carrying three large container cranes from Amsterdam toward Uniport in Rotterdam's Waalhaven. Early on 19 December 2011, one crane was lost in the North Sea about 35 km southwest of IJmuiden. Rijnmond, citing the Netherlands Coast Guard, described the crane as 52 m high, 33 m wide and weighing 300 tonnes. The water at the reported location was 19 m deep. Rijnmond
The crane obstructed the southwest traffic route, and the Coast Guard warned passing shipping. RT Leader continued to Rotterdam and reached its destination without the crane. The report stated that the cause was unknown and that recovery remained necessary. A completed recovery, casualty figures and a monetary loss assessment are not established. Rijnmond
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2011-12-19, early morning | A crane was lost from the towed pontoon southwest of IJmuiden. |
| 2011-12-19 | The Coast Guard warned shipping about the obstruction. |
| 2011-12-19, as reported | RT Leader reached its Rotterdam destination; the crane still awaited recovery. |
Rijnmond establishes these events without exact loss or arrival times.
Investigation
The contemporaneous report states that the cause of the crane loss was unknown. No final causal finding is established, including any conclusion about securing arrangements, weather or tow handling. Rijnmond
References
- Rijnmond: Sleepboot verliest kraan op Noordzee
- ITU List V maritime mobile station compilation
- Binnenvaart: RT Leader historical particulars
Video
Related
- North Sea
- Tug Incident Classification
- RT Leader
- Cargo Loss