Two Ships Collide in Dover Strait

Two general cargo vessels on passage in the same lane of the Dover Strait have collided around 14 miles east of Ramsgate at 1:30 a.m. this morning. The 16,000gt Liberian registered, German owned 'Catharine Oldendorff' and the 16,000gt Netherlands registered 'Slotergracht' were both travelling in the same direction when they collided causing damage to the portside of 'Catharina Oldendorff' and to the starboard of 'Slotergracht'. Damage to both vessels seems at this stage to consist of dents and scrapes. There have been no reported injuries from the 16 crew on 'Catharina Oldendorff' or from the 24 crew on 'Slotergracht', who all remain on board their respective vessels. Dover Coastguard's Watch Manager, Gordon Wise says: "'Catharina Oldendorff' was on passage from Antwerp to Aqaba in Jordan and will continue under escort by the Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel until first light when the damaged will be assessed more fully. "'Slotergracht' was on passage from Finland to Baltimore and will now anchor off Dover and enter the Port some time later today to assess damage.