Crew transfer vessel collides with turbine at Borkum Riffgrund 1, injuring three
EIR-1098A crew transfer vessel, the Njord Forseti, allided with a wind turbine at the Borkum Riffgrund 1 offshore wind farm, operated and owned by Orsted, in the German North Sea, approximately 45 kilometres north of the island of Borkum. Three people on board were injured, one seriously. The vessel also sustained a half-metre crack in its bow and began taking on water. Nearby vessels, including the multi-purpose offshore vessel Siem Baracuda, responded to provide initial medical care. A rescue helicopter airlifted the seriously injured person to a hospital in the Netherlands, while the other two injured were taken to medical facilities by helicopter and vessel. The crew of the damaged CTV managed to control the water ingress using onboard equipment and the vessel was escorted to port in the Netherlands by a sea rescue cruiser.
The source does not state the cause of the collision between the crew transfer vessel and the wind turbine.
- Crew transfer vessel operations near offshore wind turbines require robust collision avoidance and navigation protocols, particularly in variable sea conditions.
- Rapid coordination between nearby vessels, emergency medical helicopters and search and rescue services is critical for effective response to injuries at remote offshore sites.
- Vessels should be equipped with the means to manage hull damage and water ingress until safe return to port, and clear escort protocols should be in place for damaged vessels.
Published 2026-09-19. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.