The final section of a freighter which sank in the North Sea off the German coast in 2023 was recovered on Wednesday.
A spokeswoman for Germany’s Directorate-General for Waterways and Shipping (WSV) confirmed that the last remaining large part of the Verity wreck – the almost 50-metre-long bow section – was recovered from the German Bight region.
“An outstanding salvage operation has been successfully and safely completed today,” said WSV head Eric Oehlmann in a statement, thanking the workers involved for their professionalism under difficult conditions.
The 91-metre Verity, which was registered in Britain, sank after colliding with the freighter Polesie on October 24, 2023.
Two of its seven crew members were rescued after the incident. Two seamen, including the captain, have died. Three others have not yet been found.
The Polesie, which had 22 people on board, remained afloat after the accident, which took place around 22 kilometres south-west of the island of Heligoland and 31 kilometres north-east of the island of Langeoog.
Authorities were forced to salvage the wreck, which was a danger to shipping in the region. The wreck lay in water almost 40 metres deep.
One of the strongest floating cranes in Europe, able to lift up to 2,200 tonnes, was being used to salvage the two-part wreck, according to the WSV.
The Verity’s stern section was raised last week, while efforts to recover the bow section were delayed on Tuesday after chains attached to the vessel broke off.
The two parts of the wreck are to be towed to the Netherlands for disposal.
