Published: October 7, 2025
Location: North Sea, Netherlands
In a dramatic maritime rescue, the Dutch Coast Guard successfully prevented a drifting product tanker from colliding with the Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm, one of the largest wind energy installations in the Netherlands. The incident occurred on Saturday night, October 4, amid severe weather conditions in the North Sea.
Emergency Response to Drifting Tanker
The Singapore-flagged tanker Eva Schulte, managed by Bernhard Schulte, reported a main engine failure at approximately 19:30 local time. The vessel, carrying fuel oil from Sweden, could not anchor due to Force 7–8 winds and 5-meter waves, and began drifting dangerously close to the 139-turbine wind farm, which has a capacity of 1.5 GW.
Tugboat Intervention Saves the Day
The emergency tug Protector, operated by Multraship and stationed near the wind farm, was dispatched to intercept the tanker. Despite the storm, the tug managed to secure a towline around 23:00—just 0.6 miles (1 km) from the turbines. The tug held the vessel in position overnight while the crew repaired the engine.
Crew Safety and Coordination
The tanker had 21 crew members aboard. Although evacuation was not requested, the Coast Guard had two helicopters and a lifeboat on standby. The operation continued until Sunday afternoon, when the tug finally released the vessel, allowing it to proceed safely to Ijmuiden port.
Not the First Incident
This is not the first time the Hollandse Kust Zuid wind farm has been threatened by drifting vessels. In 2022, the Julietta D collided with a wind turbine foundation during construction, prompting increased monitoring and emergency preparedness in the region.
The Maritime-Hub Editorial Team
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Maritime-Hub. Readers are advised to research this information before making decisions based on it.
