NOS News••Amended
The Public Prosecution Service demands community service against the skippers of the shortcut and water taxi that caused a fatal accident on the Wadden Sea in October 2022. Conditional prison sentences of three months were also demanded against both suspects.
Because of the collision between the two vessels, three men and a 12 year old boy died. The boy’s body was never found. Four people were also injured in the accident.
The OM reproaches the 35-year-old skipper of the Watertaxi and the 49-year-old captain of the quick boat that they could have prevented the accident. According to the OM, both men should have acted earlier and sail more slowly. “At a lower speed, the ships had more time to assess the situation.”
‘Communication not good’
According to the OM, communication about the VHF was also not good. Shortly before the accident, the two men had contact, with the captain of the ferry at the skipper of the Watertaxi asked something to do. The water taxi responded: “Say it”. The captain of the ferry suggested passing each other “normally” on the starboard side, but there was no response.
The OM states that the skipper of the water taxi should have responded to the proposal of the Kapitein of the Slege boat. And according to the OM, the captain of the shortcut should have requested confirmation.
Moreover, both men should have acted more cautiously, the officers think. “For example, the ferry captain should have indicated more clearly what course he would sail and the skipper of the Watertaxi should not have made the steering movement towards the ferry at the very last moment.”
‘Family never complete’
In the criminal case in the court in Leeuwarden, the relatives of the victims also spoke this morning. “I have to continue without my husband and one of my pieces of gold,” said a woman who lost both her 46-year-old husband and 12-year-old son in the accident. “Life goes on. But despite that, by what happened on October 21, 2022, our family never complete,” said the widow.
The wife of the 49-year-old victim from Tjalleberd in the municipality of Heerenveen also used her right to speak. She spoke of “a disaster that comes from a succession of multiple errors”.
“Your actions and reflection show that you are incapable, incapable and incompetent as a skipper and captain. In my view, you are guilty of the death of three men and a child. Not suitable for carrying out this craftsmanship and good seamanship.”
