The large naval ship Zr. ms. Zeeland suffered significant damage last night due to a fire, while the ship was docked in Den Helder. That reports Defense. er no one was on board.
The ship was in the yard for maintenance and will certainly not be able to sail for the time being due to the damage. An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire.
According to naval journalist Jaime Karremann, the fire is unique: “As far as I can tell, the last major fire in the navy was in 1994.”
An extra disadvantage is that it is already busy in the dock in Den Helder. The fact that the Ms. Zeeland must now lie here for a long time, according to Karremann does not help. “That doesn’t suit the Navy at all.”
2,500 kilos of drugs
the ms. Zeeland is a patrol ship that is used to combat drug smuggling or to carry out rescue operations. In 2019, it helped intercept 2,500 kilograms of drugs.
In 2020 the ship left for a long journey to the Caribbean: NH Nieuws reported the departure on a deserted quay, where no family and friends were allowed to come and wave goodbye to the crew members due to corona.
Watch below the report of the departure of the Ms. Zeeland in April 2020.