See me at sea · video

What this video covers

Nova Loman ran her sailboat aground while exiting the harbor at Norderney, Germany, in the North Sea.3:16 The vessel, which has a 1.5-meter draft, struck a hard bottom while motoring out in 20-knot winds and heavy swell.7:00 Waves repeatedly lifted and slammed the boat against the seabed, causing the engine to stall and water to wash into the cockpit.3:48 Loman issued a Pan-Pan call on the handheld VHF radio while maintaining control of the tiller.5:16 The boat eventually refloated after the engine restarted, allowing the crew to sail along the coast.9:47 Loman later navigated to Borkum, Germany, in poor visibility and strong currents, then transitioned to the Standing Mast Route (Staande Mastroute) in the Netherlands to avoid further North Sea conditions.17:35 Subsequent inspection of the keel revealed no structural damage, though the grounding stripped away the antifouling and epoxy primer.23:58 Thorough research of tidal windows and local channel conditions is essential when navigating the shallow, shifting approaches to the Frisian Islands.

More from See me at sea

My boat and I take a vacation on the standing mast routeOct 2026Running aground + GPS interference in the North seaSept 2026Transiting the Kiel Canal with an electric motorSept 2026I Sailed Solo to Kiel – Then We Suddenly Became Three!Sept 2026

From See me at sea — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.