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Tag: Albert Canal

River Drone 4

River Drone 4

River Drone 4
Photo: hbvl.be

On the evening of August 20, the 106 meter long self-propelled barge River Drone 4 (IMO: 9973573) sustained damage on the Albert Canal near Olen, Belgium. The River Drone 4 had passed through the lock in Olen when it’s hull suffered an approximately 15 centimeter long hole near the fuel tank. The damage ruptured the fuel tank releasing some 10 tons of gas oil to be released into the canal.  The pollution formed a oil slick that was nearly 20 kilometer long with the pollution collecting along one bank of the canal.

Authorities responded by closing the lock at Olen along with placing booms upstream to contain the spill.  A pollution response team began cleaning and removing the sludge.  Reports stated the majority of the spill had been cleaned by the next day.  The water police have launched an investigation into the incident. No reports of injuries.

 

Monte Wymper

Monte Wymper

Vierwaldstättersee
Photo: heusden-zolder.eu

On the night of September 23, the 110 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Vierwaldstättersee (MMSI: 211806570) allided with the 82 meter long self-propelled barge Monte Wymper (MMSI: 270362000) in the Albert Canal near Viversel, Belgium. The Monte Wymper had been moored along a quay when it broke free and drifted into the canal. The Monte Wymper was nearly purpindicular to the canal as the Vierwaldstättersee approached with 900 tons of aluminum hydroxide bound for Maastricht. The Vierwaldstättersee was unable to stop and struck the Monte Wymper.  The Monte Wymper sustained two cracks  in the hull near the cabin and loading area while the Vierwaldstättersee only suffered minor damage.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

The local fire brigade arrived on scene and found the situation under control with both vessels were moored along a quay.  However, a few hours later the fire brigade was back on scene as the Monte Wymper had water ingress and was threatening to sink.  Dewatering pumps were installed to keep the flooding under control while divers inspected the hull for damage below the waterline.  Reports state the fire brigade finished its work several hours later and a salvage team was on site.

 

Rimari

Rimari

Rimari
Photo: heusden-zolder.eu

On August 22, the 135 meter long self-propelled barge Rimari caught fire while en route to Antwerp on the Albert Canal off Eversel, Belgium. The fire started in the vessel’s generator located in the forward engine room. The master of the Rimari was able to extinguish the blaze using the vessel’s built-in fire suppression system.  The local fire brigade arrived on scene a short time later and assisted in ventilating the engine room. An inspection found there had been some damage, but the extent of damage was not reported. No reports of injuries or pollution released.