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Month: December 2025

High and Dry on Llangollen Canal

High and Dry on Llangollen Canal

Whitchurch Canal Breach
Photo: Youtube/Narrowboat Life Unlocked

On the early morning of December 22, more than a dozen narrow barges were left high and dry on the Shropshire Union Canal Llangollen Branch near Whitchurch, England. The barges had been moored along the canal when part of the canal embankment failed causing an 50 meter by 50 meter sink hole to open up. Water in this section of the canal poured out pulling 2 narrowboats into the sinkhole. Several more barges were more fortunate and were left resting on the bottom of the canal. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported. Those who were living aboard the barges had heard strange noises and had evacuated their vessels beforehand.

Local authorities and firefighters arrived on scene and secured the location. Firefighters placed a flood gate to stem off the flow water from the compromised section of the canal.

List of  some of the narrowboats impacted from the incident:

  • Sefton
  • Pacemaker
  • This is the Way
  • The Singing Kettle

Reports state this portion of the canal embankment had been built over 200 years ago and had been recently been inspected. These canals limited barges to the be no longer than 72 feet long and 7 feet wide.

Reports state authorities plan to return water levels to normal either side of the breach.  The narrowboats in the impacted area would be provided support. Damage to the vessels was not disclosed.

 

Adrift off Imwon

Adrift off Imwon

Adrift Off Imwon
Photo: prt.kado.net

On the night of December 21, a 59 ton fishing vessel (name not disclosed) became disabled in the Sea of Japan off the port of Imwon, South Korea. The fishing vessel with 2 crew members on board had suffered engine failure and gone adrift. The South Korea Coast Guard dispatched 2 patrol vessels along with a coastal rescue vessel from Imwon to assist.  The vessels arrived on scene and took the fishing vessel under tow. The vessels proceeded back to Imwon safely. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

 

Mariandl

Mariandl

Mariandl
Photo: noen.at

On the afternoon of December 19, the 32 meter long passenger ship Mariandl (MMSI: 203999407) caught fire on the Danube River at the 1999 kilometer marker near the city of Krems an der Donau, Austria. The fire started from an electrical short in the vessel’s engine room while on an excursion voyage.  The vessel alerted local authorities who dispatched firefighters and fireboats from Krems, Palt, Theiß and Traismauer to assist. The crew was able to berth the Mariandl at Krems where it was met by firefighters. While the crew used a fire extinguisher to contain the blaze, firefighters boarded the vessel and finally extinguish the fire.

No reports of injuries to the crew or 25 passengers on board. Reports state the passengers continued on their excursion by tour bus.  The extent of damage caused by the fire was not disclosed. The Mariandl was built in 1954.