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Month: August 2011

Paddlewheel Steamer Fire

Paddlewheel Steamer Fire

The 83 meter long paddlewheel steamer Goethe suffered an engine room fire while off Oberwesel, Germany.   The fire started when an oil pressure hose broke loose in the engine room.  Damage to the engine room was slight, but there was heavy smoke.   On board were 174 passengers who had to disembark due to the smoke.    No one on board was injured.    The Goethe was built in 1913 and was the largest paddle wheel steamer until it’s steam engine was replaced with a diesel in 2008.  It is the only paddlewheel  steamer still in operation on the Rhine River.

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Mungo Sideways

Mungo Sideways

The 60 meter long, 1020 dwt freighter Mungo went aground at the entrance of the harbour of Littlehampton, England.  The coastal freighter loaded with gravel had two pilots on board when it suffered most likely a steering failure causing it to run aground.  The Shoreham RNLI responded to the scene along with a local tug.  The Mungo will be refloated with the next high tide.   No reports of injuries or pollution being released.

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Roma Allides with Bridge

Roma Allides with Bridge

The 110 foot long inland tanker MS Roma allided with the Middle Wettstein Bridge at Basel, Switzerland.   The tanker was proceeding down the Rhine when it suffered engine failure.   The current pulled the tanker until it struck the bridge resulting in the Roma’s wheelhouse being crushed.   The crew of five on the Roma were able to stop the tanker from drifting further by an emergency anchor.    No reports of injury.   The Roma was proceeding in ballast only and no pollution was released.   Traffic on the Rhine around Basel was suspended for a short period.   The Roma was taken under tow by the tug Vogel Gryff to allow traffic to continue.

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