Larus

Larus

Larus
Photo: French Navy’s Atlantic Maritime Prefecture

On the night of December 7, the 100 meter long, 5720 dwt tanker Larus (IMO: 1065289) went adrift off the French coast in the Bay of Saint-Brieuc. The Larus had been at anchor since late November after it suffered a technical fault. The tanker dropped anchor in Bay of Saint-Brieuc waiting for a commercial tug to tow to a shipyard in Estonia for repairs. Before a tug could arrive, the heavy weather from Storm Durragh caused the Larus‘s anchor to drag.  The tanker requested assistance from French authorities as the vessel drifted towards the shoreline.  Authorities dispatched the rescue tug Abeille Bourbon which reached the Larus around midnight.

The tug attempted to pass a towline to the Larus but it was not successful. Authorities decided to dispatch a response team to assist with the recovery. A helicopter flew the team out to the tanker and lowered them onto the deck. With the team onboard, the towline was established allowing the Abeille Bourbon to tow the Larus to the protection of the port at Brest.  No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.

Nautila

Nautila

Nautila
Photo: br.de

On the afternoon of December 10, the 110 meter long self-propelled barge Nautila (MMSI: 211179370) ran aground on the Main River near Karlstadt, Germany. The Nautila wad departing from port with 2000 tons of cement clinker and was proceeding into the river shipping channel when it touched bottom. The barge then swung perpendicular to the river as it was being pulled by the current. The vessel drifted until it became stuck aground. The Nautila sustained some damage to its rudder, but no reports of injuries or pollution released.

Nautila
Photo: n-tv.de

The Nautila remained stuck on the river and need assistance to be freed. Both a tug and icebreaker were able to finally move the Nautila the following day on their fifth attempt. Reports state traffic remains halted until the area can be checked for obstructions.

Regina K

Regina K

Müden Lock
Photo: presseportal.de

On December 8, the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Regina K (MMSI: 211414050) allided on the Moselle River within the Müden lock. The Regina K, fully loaded with scrap, prematurely entered the Müden lock before the lock gates were fully open. This resulted in the lock gates being torn away and leaving them severely damaged along with the anchors and equipment used to control the gates. Hydraulic lines were cut and pollution was released into the river. Local fire brigade placed a boom to contain any additional pollution. The Regina K sustained significant bow damage, but did not suffer any water ingress. There were no reports of injuries.

Regina K
Photo: presseportal.de

Reports state the incident may have been caused by a technical fault on the vessel. Authorities have closed traffic indefinitely at the lock until repairs can be done. Early estimates state the lock may not be back into service until March 2025. Reports state that much of the lock gate parts need to be replaced and the replacement gate would require additional upgrades before it could be put into service.

Some 70 vessels were reported stuck above the lock as there is just a single lock at Müden. With the route blocked, river traffic was backing up as far as the French border. Authorities were determining what action can be done. Some discussion was to use the dam gate plates to allow vessels to proceed downstream.  However, this would require the use of divers and would be a time-intensive effort.  Until a solution is implemented, vessels have been asked to stay at their berths upstream of the lock.