Captain of capsized tug still missing

The tug Fairplay-22, which capsized on November 11 while it was assisting the superferry Stena Brittanica to its terminal at Hoek van Holland, Netherlands, has been refloated by Smit Salvage using the sheerleg Taklift 7.

According to owner Fairplay Towage, a search team deployed on the 496-gross ton tug was unable to locate the still-missing captain inside the vessel. He remains missing.

Three crew were rescued and two others died. The police investigation has been finalized and the authorities are presently evaluating their findings. As of now, the cause of the accident is still unclear.

Meanwhile, the authorities have released the Fairplay-22 to Fairplay Towage. Plans are for the tug to be docked and surveyed by the owners and insurers to judge whether it can be repaired and re-enter service. If it does re-enter service, however, the tug will have a new name. Fairplay Towage has already decided to retire the name Fairplay-22 from its fleet.