After 70 Years: Wreck of Urker Kotter Hendrika Found
urk, maandag, 18 augustus 2025.
After nearly seven decades, the wreck of the Urker kotter Hendrika has been found in the North Sea, just north of Terschelling. The ship disappeared in 1954 during a severe storm with five crew members on board. Finally, the relatives receive answers to the questions that have plagued them for years. The research team from the Foundation for Research into Missing Maritime Persons used modern technologies and archival data to identify the wreck, which brings enormous relief to the families.
Decades-Long Search
The disappearance of the Urker kotter Hendrika in 1954 during a severe storm has left the families of the five crew members in uncertainty for almost seven decades. The ship, UK-174, vanished without a trace, except for a life jacket that washed up on Terschelling. After years of fruitless searching, the Foundation for Research into Missing Maritime Persons recently received a new impetus from archival data from Rijkswaterstaat [1][2][3].
Advanced Technology
Thanks to recent developments in sonar and underwater detection, researchers were finally able to locate the wreck. These advanced techniques can scan the seabed at depths where traditional methods failed. The wreck was found in an unexpected location, explaining why previous searches yielded no results [4].
Identification and Emotional Impact
After the dive team, consisting of historian Cees Meeldijk and his team, identified the wreck, there was no longer any doubt: it was the Hendrika. The official nameplate of the kotter was not found, but many points indicate that it is the UK-174. For the relatives, this discovery finally provides clarity about the fate of their loved ones. ‘You do this for the relatives. They are extremely grateful,’ says Meeldijk [1][2][3].
Community and Support
The municipality of Urk wants to support the families in processing this emotional moment. Plans are underway for a monument in memory of the kotter’s crew. Maritime historians emphasise that this discovery is important for preserving Urk’s fishing heritage and documenting Dutch fishing history [5].
Volunteer Work with a Big Impact
The Foundation for Research into Missing Maritime Persons consists entirely of volunteers and only conducts searches when requested by families. The expeditions are funded by donations. When a find is made, only small materials may be taken to identify the wreck. ‘Such a tangible object can mean so much to relatives after all these years. Often they have nothing left,’ says Meeldijk [6].
Documentary and Future Plans
The team’s search has not gone unnoticed. A camera crew from the EO is accompanying the expedition to document it for a documentary, expected to be released early 2026. The discovery of the wreck is a significant step in preserving history and providing comfort to families who have waited so long for answers [6].