The U.S. Coast Guard and a local Delaware fire department are reporting that they were called out on Christmas afternoon for five seafarers suffering from possible carbon monoxide exposure. It is unclear how the crewmembers of a general cargo ship anchored offshore were exposed to the deadly gas.
The 22,000 dwt Reggeborg register in the Netherlands was anchored 11 miles east of Indian River Bay off the coast of Delaware. AIS data shows the vessel, which is 557 long, had been anchored since December 19 arriving from Jacksonville, Florida as part of a voyage that began in Finland in October. The vessel was built in Germany in 2014 and at the time was part of a class of vessels that were the largest in the Wagenborg fleet and the biggest ever built at Ferus Smit shipyards.
The USCG’s Sector Delaware Bay Command Center received the report that five mariners aboard the motor vessel Reggeborg had experienced possible carbon monoxide poisoning and required medical assistance on Sunday afternoon. They responded by sending a Station Indian River 47-foot motor lifeboat boat and the Lewes Fire Department also responded with one of its boats. The Delaware State Troopers, Delaware Fish and Wildlife, and Department of Natural Resources also assisted.
Two of the crewmembers were removed from the ship by the U.S. Coast Guard and transferred to its station for further medical assistance. The three others from the ship were transferred to the Bethany Fire Department for medical assistance.The Coast Guard reported today, December 26, that the crewmembers were treated and had returned to their ship.
The Reggeborg is now in the Big Stone Beach Anchorage near the entrance to Delaware Bay.
Source: The Maritime Executive
