Article

Historical pilot schooner "Elbe No. 5"​ collied with containership and sank.


by Marine-Pilots.com - published on 9 June 2019 80 -

This ship is a legend: The pilot schooner "No. 5 Elbe" is the oldest operating seagoing ship in Hamburg. Furthermore, the "white lady" is a real beauty. That's why it's a tragedy what happened on Pentecost Saturday: The two-master collided with a container ship and sank!

43 people were on board the ship when it collided with the 141-metre-long container ship "Astrosprinter", which sails under the Cypriot flag and was on its way to the North Sea, at about 2 p.m. near Stadersand. Further details on the course of the accident are not yet available.

Average on the Elbe River: Five people injured, one woman severely injured

One thing is certain so far: five people have been injured, including one woman, according to the Situation Service. After the collision, the "No. 5 Elbe" was very quickly filled with water, so that the 43 passengers had to be rescued quickly from board. The Stad fire brigade and other helpers were quickly on the spot. The ship was secured with steel ropes to prevent it from slipping deeper into the Elbe. How the two-master is to be recovered is unclear.

The 37 metre long gaff schooner is Hamburg's last remaining seagoing ship from the wooden ship era. In 1883 the "No. 5 Elbe" was built at the Stülcken shipyard as a pilot schooner: The task of the ship was to bring pilots aboard such ships in one of the roughest sea areas of the world, the North Sea, which were on their way in the direction of Hamburg. In the 1920s, the adventurer Warwick Tompkins acquired the sailor and even circumnavigated Cape Horn with him in 1937.

"No. 5 Elbe" had just been renovated for 1.5 million euros.

Since 2002, the "No. 5 Elbe" has been back home again: The Hamburg Maritim Foundation discovered the pilot schooner at an antiques dealer in Seattle and acquired it for 800,000 euros. Most recently, it lay for eight months in a Danish shipyard and was overhauled for 1.5 million euros. Among other things, it received new outer planking and a new stern. It had only returned to Hamburg a week ago.

Translated article by "Hamburger Morgenpost"

Photos: Social Media, www.Lotsenschoner.de
What's your opinion on this?
Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Read more...

Video Pilot Boat Approaching

published on 9 August 2022

0

Video PILOT BOAT HAYASUI

published on 24 May 2021

#船、#SHIP、#SEA、#海、#JAPAN、#内航船、#外航船、#船員さんのお仕事、#海技士、#航海士、#PILOT BOAT HAYASUI、#関崎パイロットステーション

0

Video Pilot Boat in Port of Tyne

published on 10 April 2025

Join me behind the scenes aboard the pilot boat as we guide the cruise ship Borealis out of the River Tyne and welcome a colossal vehicle carrier into port. In this video, you'll get an up-close look at the challenging conditions at sea, including a rough water pilot transfer as we safely land the pilot onboard. Experience the scale of these incredible vessels and see the precision teamwork it takes to keep everything running smoothly, even in heavy seas. From the stunning departure of the...

0

Video ER88 Sea Trials - 16m Pilot Boat: MED-P16

published on 10 January 2021

ER88 Sea Trials - 16m Pilot Boat: MED-P16

0

Article USCG Safety Alert on Handhold Stanchions

published on 14 February 2023

On February 9th, 2023 Unites States Coast guard issued a safety alert (04-22-CH1) in which attention is drawn to the correct positioning of handhold stanchions onboard of ships.

1

Article Norwegia operator to get new Pilot Boat in 2023

published on 12 January 2023

Norwegian shipping company Bukser og Berging has placed an order for a new pilot launch to be built by Kewatec Aluboat of Finland.

0

Opinion Leadership in Pilotage: Strategic Command and Navigational Mastery

by Maritime Pilot Abolfazl Farajnezam - published on 11 February 2025

Among the few marine professions that purse a man's technical skills and value very high, maritime piloting perhaps is in a class of its own. In this career, the pilot is entrusted to maneuver vessels through some of the most challenging and congested waterways while ensuring seamless integration between shipboard operations and port infrastructure.

3

Video Lisbon pilot disembarking from Adonia in rough seas (2014)

published on 11 September 2021

The P and O ship Adonia leaving Lisbon on 3-11-14. This was the Pilot's second attempt to leave the ship. A smaller cutter found the seas too rough to take off the Pilot so this larger cutter took over.

0

Article USCG: Marine Saefty alert on accommodation ladders

published on 15 September 2021

The Coast Guard Office of Investigations and Analysis has released Marine Safety Alert 05-21, to notify mariners to a potentially dangerous situation involving corrosion of the turntable pin on accommodation ladders.

2