In an unfortunate turn of events for shrimp trawler IJM22, the latest rescue operation by local entrepreneurs proved unsuccessful on Thursday afternoon. The vessel remains stranded off the beach of Zandvoort, with Skipper Ed Reker expressing his disappointment. Despite setbacks, Reker is already gearing up for a fourth attempt.

Lisetter Reker, the skipper’s daughter, shared her dismay, stating, “I have no words for it. I had to shed a few tears; it should have just worked out now. My father is bummed out.”

The predicament began on the night of November 22 when the IJM22, also known as Black Jack, encountered trouble with a rope entangled in its propeller, leading to it running aground on a sandbank south of Zandvoort. Subsequent attempts to free the barge proved futile, compounded by storm damage to the boat.

Despite the challenges, the community rallied to support Reker. Daughter Lisette noted, “My father is always there for others.” However, Reker expressed unease at the outpouring of kindness, questioning, “Why are all those people so nice to me?”

One of the local businesses, Thalassa beach bar represented by Bram Molenaar, extended assistance. Molenaar provided coffee and used his own small shovel to aid in the effort, emphasizing the shared entrepreneurial spirit.

The latest rescue attempt involved excavators creating a ‘pond’ around the stranded vessel to facilitate refloating. Unfortunately, the 1-kilometer cable attached to the tug Anteos from Scheveningen snapped, leading to the operation’s failure.

Undeterred, Reker is already planning the next rescue attempt scheduled for the upcoming Saturday. The community’s support remains strong, with volunteers expected to participate once again.

In the face of financial strain due to weeks of inability to work and the vessel being his pension, Reker’s children initiated a donation campaign. They have successfully raised over 53,000 euros, providing a significant boost to one of the last shrimp fishermen in the country. While the amount may not cover the full repair cost, it offers crucial support to Ed Reker during this challenging period.