HAV DOLPHIN

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Ship with Russian crew was stopped near Volkerad suspected of having deployed drones

The 'HAV Dolphin' with a full Russian crew that was stopped at the Volkerak locks near Willemstad in mid-May, being suspected of having deployed drones over European territory. German investigation services had warned the Coast Guard a few hours earlier that the ship had behaved suspiciously off the coast of Kiel in early May, exactly at the time that drones were spotted there. The ship was inspected by a team from Customs, the Royal Marechaussee and the police, but no drones were found. On the night June 17 May, 2025, drones appeared again, this time above the German patrol ship 'Potsdam', which at that time shadowed the Russian freighter 'Lauga' (IMO: 9111060) in the German Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),. The drones followed the patrol ship for three hours, until just before Dutch waters. The German police were unable to determine whether the drones came from the 'Lauga', but asked the customs in Belgium, where the ship was en route, to inspect it. No drones were found there either. German investigation services have seen an increase in drone sightings over critical infrastructure, such as ports, chemical parks and military installations, for years. The German authorities have informed European investigative bodies of the events. The ships have been closely monitored since then. Both cargo ships were showing a striking behaviour. The ''HAV Dolphin' has spent a month in the port of Kaliningrad, Russia, near a naval base, and temporarily disabled the mandatory AIS during its journey. The 'Lauga' also did this during its journey across the North Sea. In addition, the cargo ship previously had visited the Russian naval base in Syria, which indicates possible ties with the Russian Ministry of Defence. The 'HAV Dolphin' left Rotterdam on May 16 and berthed in Papenburg on June 3. The 'Lauga' berthed in St. Petersburg, Russia, on June 4.

Grounding on the Goole

The '"Bienville" ran aground on the Ouse river in front of Goole in the early morning of Nov 4, 2015. The ship was en route from Riga to Goole with a cargo of timber. On Nov 4 the tugs "Lashette", "Shovette" and "Little Shuva" were attempting to free the vessel with the rising tide. Photos: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354861 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354857 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354608 http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2354856