On April 9, the 67 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Rodort 8 allided with a railway bridge over the Rhine-Herne Canal in Herne, Germany. The wheelhouse of the Rodort 8 struck the underside of the bridge and was destroyed. The master of the Rodort 8 was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.
The Rodort 8 was towed to a nearby quay. Reports state damage to the Rodort 8 was over 100,000 €. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 81 meter long fishing vessel Dong Won 701 caught fire while docked in the port of Timaru, New Zealand. Witnesses state a large bang was heard just before the fire started. Authorities dispatched multiple fire crews and fire boats to the scene. The crew of the Dong Won 701 escaped the blaze before dense smoke engulfed much of the fore section. Three crew were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation.
Fire crew continued to battle the blaze overnight until it was contained. Both fire tugs and fire trucks continued to spray water to cool the fishing vessel’s hull. There was some concern how much water is being used to avoid sinking the Dong Won 701. Additional fire fighting crews were being dispatched from surrounding towns to aid in the efforts.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The Dong Won 701 had been scheduled to leave on April 10th.
On April 7, two cargo vessels collided on the Pearl River in Guangzhou, China near the Hedong Bridge. Reports states one vessel was loaded with sand contacted with another vessel loaded with a salt. The cargo vessel loaded with sand lost stability and capsized. The four crew on board fell into the river and were later rescued by nearby vessels. All four were taken to hospital for treatment. Additional reports state a floating crane was being brought to the scene to right the overturn vessel. No details of damage or injuries to the cargo vessel transporting salt. Authorities did not disclose the names of either vessel involved in the collision.
