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Tag: Belgium

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.

 

Kepejora

Kepejora

Kepejora
Photo: flows.be

On the afternoon of July 25, the 85 meter long self-propelled barge Kepejora (MMSI: 244668436) sank on the Sambre River near the Auvelais lock at Sambreville, Belgium. The Kepejora was scheduled for a voyage to Ghent from Châtelet when it sustained hull damage while loading a cargo of 1400 tons of scrap metal. The crew had not discovered the damage until the Kepejora was found taking on water.

Kepejora
Photo: lavenir.net

The vessel’s pumps could not stop the flooding and the crew requested assistance. The local fire brigade responded to scene with dewatering pumps. Unfortunately, the Kepejora‘s hull had been holed and the cargo of scrap metal needed to be lightered.  Due to the limited space at the quay, there was no way to unload the cargo before the vessel sank a few hours later.

Authorities have placed pollution barriers around the Kepejora to contain any oil pollution released. Divers were requested to make temporary repairs so that the vessel could be dewatered.

FWN Adriatic

FWN Adriatic

FWN Adriatic
Photo: pzc.nl

On the morning of July 16, the 144 meter long cargo vessel FWN Adriatic (IMO: 9970533) caught fire while berthed in Antwerp, Belgium. The fire broke out in the cargo hold loaded with plasterboard and vehicles that released dense smoke. The local fire brigade was called out and began extinguishing the blaze from the quay assisted by a fireboat. Fire fighters proceeded to close the cargo hold hatches and then pumped carbon dioxide gas into the hold to smother the flames.  The fire fighters expected the blaze to be extinguished after several hours, but the fire continued to smolder overnight.  As of July 17, the fire had not yet been extinguished on the FWN Adriatic.

Authorities issued an alert to nearby residents to keep their windows and doors shut due to the smoke.  No reports of any injuries.