Stanislaw Dubois

On 2 April 1981, the cargo ship Stanislaw Dubois collided with the ship Omdurman. This collision caused a 7 metre crack in the cargo ship’s hull, one meter above the bilge keel. The hold was flooded with calcium carbide. There was an imminent risk of explosion, as calcium carbide is flammable upon contact with water and humidity.

The Stanislaw Dubois was therefore not authorised to enter a port for repairs. After 7 days of negotiations, the Dutch authorities ordered the ship to be scuttled after pumping out the fuel.

On 9 April, the Dutch Navy frigate Callenburgh escorted the Stanislaw Dubois north of Texel Island where she was sunk at a depth of 72 m.

Sources:

• Emina Mamaca, Michel Girin, Stéphane le Floch, Rawad el Zir, 2009, Review of chemical spills at sea and lessons learnt
• E. Van Hooydonk, 2003, The obligation to offer a place of refuge to a ship in distress
• HELCOM, 2002, HELCOM response Manual - Volume 2
• Wrecksite
• Polish Ocean Lines