ESMERALDA

Schiffahrts Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH REEDEREI - SHIPMANAGEMENT

Neue Strasse 7 D 21745 Hemmoor E-Mail: Phone: Fax:

Broanschrift / Office Adress: Briefanschrift / Mail Adress: Esmeralda.ship@gmx.net + 49 (0) 4771 88 78 - 0 + 49 (0) 4771 88 78 - 29

Neue Strasse 7 D 21745 Hemmoor Postfach 12 11- D 21745 Hemmoor

Capt. W. Waller + 49 (0) 171 213 35 71 Capt. F. Jung + 49 (0) 171 651 48 09

MV MEDEMBORG

ISM certified DOC No. 99/479

To the owner, Report It is with regret and haste that I write this letter to you, regret that such a small misunderstanding could lead to the following circumstances and haste in order that you get this report before you form your own opinion from the reports in the world press, for I am sure they will tend to over-dramatize the affair. We had just picked up the pilot and the cadet had returned from changing the G flag for the H flag and, being his first trip, he was having difficulties in rolling the G flag up. I, therefore, proceeded to show him how. Coming to the last part, I told him to let go. The lad, although willing, is not too bright, necessitating my having to repeat the order in a sharper tone. At this moment the chief officer returned from the chart room, having plotted the vessels progress, and thinking it was the anchors that we were referred to; repeated the let go to the 2nd mate on the focsle. The port anchor was promptly dropped. The sudden effect of letting the anchor go, when the vessel was doing full harbor speed proved too much for the windlass and brake, the entire cable was pulled out by the roots with extensive damage to the windlass and chainlocker. The braking effect of the port anchor naturally caused the ship to swing in that direction, right towards the swing bridge that spans a tributary to the river up which we were proceeding. The swing bridge operator showed great presence of mind by opening the bridge for the vessel. Unfortunately he did not think of the vehicular traffic, with the result that the partly open bridge deposited a Volkswagen, two cyclists and a cattle truck on the foredeck. The ships staff is presently rounding up the contents, which from the noise appears to be pigs. In his effort to stop the ship, the 2 nd mate dropped the starboard anchor, too late to be of any practical use, for it fell onto the swing bridge operators cabin. After the port anchor was dropped, I gave a double ring Full Astern on the engine telegraph, and personally rang the Engine Room to order maximum astern power. I was informed that the seawater temperature was 15 Celsius and asked if there was a film tonight. My reply would not add constructively to this report. Up to now I have confined my report to the focsle, but on the aft they were having their own problems. At the moment the port anchor was dropped, the 3rd mate was supervising the making fast of the aft tug and was lowering the

ESMERALDA
Schiffahrts Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH REEDEREI - SHIPMANAGEMENT
Neue Strasse 7 D 21745 Hemmoor E-Mail: Phone: Fax:

Broanschrift / Office Adress: Briefanschrift / Mail Adress: Esmeralda.ship@gmx.net + 49 (0) 4771 88 78 - 0 + 49 (0) 4771 88 78 - 29

Neue Strasse 7 D 21745 Hemmoor Postfach 12 11- D 21745 Hemmoor

Capt. W. Waller + 49 (0) 171 213 35 71 Capt. F. Jung + 49 (0) 171 651 48 09

MV MEDEMBORG

ISM certified DOC No. 99/479

ships line down onto the tug. The sudden braking effect of the port anchor caused the tug to run under our stern just as I rang Full Astern. The prompt action of the 3rd mate in securing the towing line, delayed the sinking of the tug by some minutes, thus allowing the tugs crew to escape. Immediately after the port anchor was dropped, there was a power cut ashore. The fact that we were passing over a cable area, may suggest that we touched something on the sea-bed. It was perhaps lucky that the high-tension cable brought down by the fore mast was not live and possibly being replaced by underwater cables, but owing to the blackout it is not possible to tell were the pylon fell. It never fails to amaze me, the reactions of foreigners in times of minor crisis. The pilot is at the moment huddled in one corner of my cabin, alternately crooning to himself and crying, after consuming a bottle of gin in what must be a record time. The tug captain on the other hand, reacted violently and had to be handcuffed by the steward and placed in the hospital, where he is telling me to do impossible things with my ship and crew. I enclose the names of the drivers and the insurance companies in order to claim for the damages they caused to the railings at No 1 hold. I am closing this report as I am finding it difficult to concentrate with the sound of sirens and flashing of their lights. It is sad to note that, had the cadet know that it was unnecessary to fly pilot flags after dark, none of this would have happened.

Yours faithfully,

Master