United Heavy Lift denies ship’s engine failure in North Sea incident

The coastguard evacuated the master and second officer by helicopter. The master continues to receive medical care and is stable. The second officer has been released from hospital.

"The crew managed to bring the vessel's bow back into the seas and completed the anchor-weighing operation," United Heavy Lift said. "Since then, the vessel has been controlled, proceeding slowly under its own power, maintaining its bow into the seas."

The company said the vessel remains fully operational and is proceeding to Emden. It reported neither pollution nor damage to cargo.

UHL Freedom is a 149.99-metre heavy-lift vessel built in 2021. She sails under the Portuguese flag.