At that time arriving tugs could not take over the towing connection from MELLUM because of the weather situation. It was decided to tow slowly the ship to Heligoland where the salvage tugs could then try to take over salvageing with professional equipment. After l6, 5 hours of tow the polypropylene line broke and further attempts of the other assisting vessels failed to install a new towing connection, After several failing attempts to board the PALLAS by helicopter, it was finally possible to winch the boatswain of NEUWERK to the forecastle of the casualty where he managed to drop the portside anchor 8 nm off the coast of Amrum.
On the 28.10.1998 at westerly winds Bft 8 to 10 the anchor Slipped appearantly and five men boarded PALLAS by helicopter and succeeded in launching a 38 mm wire from the forcastle of the casualty and connect it to the 52 mm towing gear of the MELLUM. Waveheight was 7 - 8 metres. The portside anchor chain was cut and MELLUM towed with about 30 t bollard pull for at about 15 minutes until the 38 mm wire broke at the connecting shakle. The starboard anchor was immediately dropped but could not keep the PALLAS on position. Windforce at that time Bft. 10 - 11. Fire on board of the PALLAS has spreaded now to all hatches.
On the 29.10.1998 PALLAS slipped with her anchor onto a sandbank along the 5 m-waterdepth-line. The weather continued to create heavy surf seas at Bft. 8 - 10. The executive committee (of the pollution response organisation) was activated to convene at Cuxhaven. Several attempts by other tugs failed to tow off the casualty. Oil recovery vessels were activated and approached the scene.
The owner of the PALLAS initiated further attempts by chartered tugs to tow the casualty into deeper water. All operations failed in this shallow water region because of the continuing severe weather situation on the 01.11.1998. Fire was still active and some oil was observed leaking from PALLAS. Aerial reconnaissance and drift forecasting continued. From the 04.11.1998 on authorities set a time limit for the owner for further salvage operations. Tugs ALEX GORDON and ENGLISHMAN turned the PALLAS at the sandbank for 90 degrees to starboard on the 05.11.1998. A crack in the superstructure of the hull was obsered. All further towing operations were stopped and the vessel declared a wreck on the 06.11.1998. On the 07.11.1998 the executive committee started negotiations with owner P & I insurance and potential salvage companies to award a contract package to salvage company Wijsmuller.
On the following days some 30 - 50 m3 oil escaped from the stricken vessel with shore line pollutions of the beaches at the isles of Amrum Fohr and Sylt. Beach cleaning resulted 10 the collection of appr. 660 m3 0iled sand and debris. 10 inshore oil recovery and support vessels collected about 20 m3 or separated oil. Some thousand oiled seabirds were observed, the most found dead, other shot or cleaned by specialists. The fire on board the PALLAS continued to spread inside the cargo holds despite all attempts to cool it down by the special fire fighting vessel KIEL.
On the following days calmer weather allowed for further recovery operations at sea and an inspection of the vessel.
