GOLIATH (Netherlands)

Floating crane Goliath (986 gt, built 1966), being towed by the tug Sea Alfa (309 gt, built 2008) was reported to be taking in water. The tow voyage was from Terneuzen to Killybegs when a list on Goliath was noticed.
Dover Coastguard was coordinating assistance to the tug and tow which were in danger of foundering in Langdon Bay.
A call at 0441 hrs in the morning alerted the marine emergency service to the incident. The Sea Alfa, which had five people on board including a duty pilot, was towing unmanned floating crane Goliath and was due to come into Dover Port.
The Dover pilot boarded, but it then became apparent that she was trimmed down by four metres at the stern with water already entering the crane’s cab.
A decision was then made to beach her opposite Walmer Castle near Deal.
The MCA chartered tug Anglian Monarch stood by and a coastguard aircraft was in attendance.
The entry to the port of Dover was abandoned as Goliath was taking an excessive amount of water and Sea Alfa was directed to go to the Downs anchorage, a shallower part of the bay, while a decision as made on her final destination. 

The Dover all-weather lifeboat was launched and was brought alongside to providing pumping assistance.
A team of engineers and additional pumps were being sent from the Netherlands. A salvage pump was also taken on board the lifeboat and an additional pump was made available by the coastguard.
Goliath was carrying 138 cubic metres of fuel oil along with further lubricants and hydraulic oils.
Salvors from Multraship were en route and it was planned to pump the vessel out, then locate the source of the leak.