On February 18, the 170 foot long towboat Washington allided with a bridge over the Ohio River between Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky. The Washington was pushing 10 empty barges when it struck the middle pier of the Twin Bridge. There was no damage to the towboat or barges and the bridge sustained only a minor scrape. Authorities were alerted to the incident and traffic was reduced on the bridge until it could be inspected. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 120 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Pampero ran aground on the Rhône at the locks in Sablons, France. The Pampero was en route to Lavera from Port de Bouc with a cargo of 2200 tons of vinyl chloride. As the tanker-barge proceeded out of the lock, it was pull back by suction towards the lock gate . Unable to overcome the current, the Pampero struck the downstream lock gate ripping the lock gate away. The Pampero struck with enough force to have its wheelhouse torn away and part of the hull buckled. The tanker-barge floated a short distance from the lock before it ran aground.
Authorities were alerted and dispatched some 70 persons to the scene. The Pampero had sustained three hull breaches releasing some of the toxic gas. Reports state the amount of gas released was low, but some nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution. Divers later arrived on scene and complete repairs and plug the leaks. Another tanker-barge was requested to offload the 2200 tons of cargo. Traffic on the Rhône remains closed above and below the lock until repairs to the lock and tanker-barge can be completed. No reports of injuries.
On February 16, the 156 meter long, 21243 dwt heavy lift vessel Wish Way allided with the Queen Juliana Bridge l at Willemstad, Curaçao. The Wish Way was proceeding under the bridge with a cargo of two container cranes when the cranes struck the underside of the bridge. Both cranes sustained damage and some damage was reported on the bridge. Traffic on the 56 meter high bridge was suspended until it could be inspected for damage. No reports of injuries.
Both cranes were from China and were only partially built. The cranes were only 2/3 of their projected height so that they could safely pass under the bridge. Unfortunately, there was some wind while the Wish Way was passing under the bridge causing the incident. Reports state the repairs of the cranes will delay their use by several months.
