The wreck of the Manx-registered cargo ship Verity has been fully recovered from the depths of the North Sea after a major salvage operation. The Verity, which sank following a collision with the Polesie in October 2023, has now been successfully lifted from the seafloor near the German Bight. The recovery operation, overseen by German marine authorities and salvage experts, saw the vessel’s stern and bow sections raised in a complex, multi-phase procedure.
On the morning of 30 August, the salvage crew used one of Europe’s largest floating cranes, the Hebo Lift 10, to hoist the stern section of the 600-tonne vessel from approximately 40 metres below the surface. After preparatory work by divers to pump water out and reduce weight, the stern was carefully lifted and placed onto a transport barge. In the following days, efforts shifted to the bow, which was successfully recovered during the night of 3 September.
Challenges
The recovery operation faced significant challenges, particularly in fixing the lifting chains to the bow due to damage to the ship’s railings. Despite this, the team managed to hoist the bow section, weighing around 580 tonnes, using calculated procedures to further reduce weight by draining water-filled tanks.
Marine authorities have confirmed that both sections of the Verity will be transported to the Netherlands for proper disposal. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) of the UK is continuing its investigation into the cause of the collision, with support from German authorities.
A memorial service for the crew members lost in the incident was held aboard the Neuwerk, where tributes were paid to the sailors. Two crew members were rescued during the disaster, but several others remain missing. Authorities plan to conduct further searches for the missing sailors now that the wreckage has been retrieved.
The Verity‘s recovery marks the conclusion of a key phase in this high-profile maritime accident investigation. Manx authorities, along with the global maritime community, now await the results of the inquiry to understand the causes behind the tragic incident.
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