Around noon on January 20, the 111 meter long, 6052 dwt cargo vessel Havelland (IMO: 9499735) went aground on the Kiel Canal near Rade, Germany. The Havelland had departed from Sundsvall and was headed for Kingston-upon-Hull when it suffered engine failure on the canal. Without power the cargo vessel ran aground on the southern bank of the canal. The Havelland was able to restart its main engine restoring power and refloating itself. Authorities dispatched the 28.5 meter long tug Parat (IMO: 812812) to assist and escort the cargo vessel to Rendsburg where it will undergo inspection for damage. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On the morning of January 25, the 30 meter long passenger ferry Övelgönne (MMSI: 211151080) was in collision in poor visibility with a barge being pushed by the self-propelled container-barge Hanse (MMSI: 211760410) on the Elbe River at Hamburg, Germany. The Övelgönne was headed to the Dockland pier with 25 passengers from Finkenwerder when it approached the Hanse which had departed from Braunschweig with a convoy of barges. As the vessels approached the Dockland pier in dense fog, the Övelgönne was struck on the starboard hull by a lead barge. The ferry’s hull was partially crushed above the waterline with multiple windows smashed. Passengers were struck by flying debris and sprayed by water resulting in multiple injuries. One passenger was knock unconscious and was reported as in critical condition with a brain injury. Ten others on board were slightly injured with many suffering from hypothermia. The Övelgönne was able to berth where it was met by local authorities and emergency personnel. All the injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment.
The Hanse was able to continue and proceeded to Waltershof where it berthed and met by local authorities. The water police launched an investigation into incident. Both the captains of the Övelgönne and Hanse were given a breathalyzer test which were negative. Authorities have reported that dense fog may have been a major factor in the collision. Initial investigation stated the Övelgönne was equipped with radar and it was manned with an experienced master. The investigation most likely will focus on why the radar wasn’t being monitored when visibility was limited at the time of the incident.
