Heavy Lift Vessel UHL Freedom Disabled in North Sea Storm

The Portuguese-flagged heavy lift cargo vessel UHL Freedom lost much of its propulsion and manoeuvring capability on Sunday afternoon approximately 29 kilometres north of the Dutch island of Schiermonnikoog, leaving three crew members injured amid severe North Sea weather. The Netherlands Coastguard said the 150 metre vessel, which carries heavy industrial equipment and offshore wind components, began dragging anchor around 13:30 local time before experiencing engine problems, leaving it with limited propulsion in force 9 winds and waves up to 4.5 metres. Of the vessel's 25 crew, three were injured; earlier reports from the Coastguard and the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM) had put the figure at five before it was revised at 16:55 local time. Two injured crew members were evacuated by Coastguard helicopter to Groningen Airport Eelde, where ambulances took them to hospital. The severity of their injuries and the condition of the third casualty were not disclosed. A search and rescue nurse was lowered onto the vessel to provide medical assistance, supported by a Coastguard surveillance aircraft. Three KNRM rescue vessels were dispatched from Eemshaven, Schiermonnikoog and Ameland, while the Dutch Coastguard tug Guardian and German emergency response tug Nordic were mobilised, each expected to take several hours to reach the vessel. The UHL Freedom subsequently regained limited engine capability, though authorities had not confirmed whether it could maintain position without assistance. No pollution, structural damage, cargo details or effects on nearby shipping had been reported.