Silvio Van Look: One day we were at the Zandvliet Lock when we saw a Russian seagoing vessel, the Kapitan Onegi, sailing past from the harbour to the sea. It was swaying back and forth. A problem with the ballast water, it turned out later. We switched on our transmitter because we felt something was about to happen.
Ten minutes later we heard that the river pilot had given the order to abandon ship. He said he was going to jump overboard himself. I’ve only heard that once in my entire career. The ship then capsized on a sandbank.
We all jumped into our mooring boats to rush to the rescue. We picked up Russian seamen who were swimming around in the water, some in their pyjamas. We took them ashore and at that point the Sea Kings from the base in Koksijde arrived. They communicated where we had to go and also lowered down a doctor. It was like the film ‘Stormforce’, but in real life!
Our onshore team commandeered a luxury coach which happened to be at the port for a ministerial visit. It was used to speed all of the rescued seamen to hospital. Snug and warm.
It really was a tough morning with plenty of action and reaction. Something that has nothing to do with our work in principle, but you will never forget. It all worked out, just because we were there and properly assessed the situation and reacted promptly. Everyone survived the disaster.
