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Deckhand who fell over board could be retrieved

In the morning of Feb 18, 2016, a deckhand of the "Impuls" fell over board on that Waal near Neerijen at river km 931. A witness called 112 immediately. The victim was wearing a life jacket, but failed to reach the shore in the fast flowing water. In the wheelhouse of the loaded vessel the accident was not noticed immediately, but other shipping alerted the crew by VHF. So the ship stopped and went astern to save the man who meanwhile had managed to cling to the beacon of a groyne on the right river shore. Given the fact that there was more than a meter of water above the cribs, it was impossible for him to reach the shore due to the currents. The crew of the "Impuls" tried to throw a lifeline with a rope from the deck which did not work out. Sometime later he got the buoy, but had yet got to get back on board. One man was standing on the gangway and finally they managed to get him back on board after about 10-15 minutes. At the bunker station Slurink in Zaltbommel an ambulance ready to assist the sailor who was slightly hypothermic. Dutch report with photo: http://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/nid24215-matroos-overboord-in-waal-bij-neerijnen-.html