Freighter Strikes Dock, Damages Hull in Skagen

[Brief] The Dutch freighter Vechtborg struck a pier in the port of Skagen, Denmark late on Sunday, damaging her hull. 

The accident occured as the vessel was being towed out of the harbor in anticipation of a storm. High winds were a contributing factor in the incident.  

Divers inspected the vessel on Tuesday and found extensive damage to her hull. However, there have been no signs of pollution and her stability is unaffected, said port assistant Søren Vendelbo, speaking to Denmark's TV2. 

The pier was undamaged. 

The 1998-built Vechtborg is an ice classed open hatch freighter; she is fully double-skinned.