On October 30, the 135 meter long self-propelled passenger ship Viking LIf (IMO: 1212480) ran aground on the Danube River near the village of Garla Mare, Romania. The Viking Lif had departed from Turnu Magurele bound for Vienna with 180 passengers and 53 crew when it stranded on a sandbank. The passenger ship remained aground until the following morning when water levels had risen to allow it to be refloated. The Viking Lif continued on its voyage to Austria. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution.
On the night of July 23, the 61 meter long, 900 dwt hopper dredger Ingulsky J (IMO: 9646912) exploded on the Danube near Vilkovo, Ukraine. The Ingulsky J while dredging in the Bystre estuary when it struck a mine which exploded. The dredge sustained significant damage and sank in the waterway. The explosion killed 3 crew and injured 8 others on board the dredge. The injured crew were taken to hospital for treatment. Reports state the Danube remains open with the southern Sulin Channel open to commercial traffic. The Bystre has been open to commercial vessels after Ukraine liberated Snake Island from Russian control. Ukrainian authorities are investigating incident.
On the morning of June 11, the 105 meter long self-propelled barge Fairplay (MMSI: 211234090) ran aground on the Danube River near Regensburg, Germany. The Fairplay was headed to Linz from Nürnberg with a cargo of iron ore when it ran aground during a turning maneuver trying to enter the port at Regensburg. The Fairplay was stuck lying at an angle partially blocking navigation traffic.
Photo: tvaktuell.com
Photo: br.de
Photo: tvaktuell.com
Photo: br.de
Attempts to refloat the Fairplay the following day failed. A pusher tug had arrived on site and was unable to free the barge. After several failed salvage attempts with the pusher over the following days, a dredger was dispatched from Rotterdam to lighter part of the cargo of iron ore. Authorities have stated the water level should rise, but may not be enough to aid in refloating the Fairplay. The water police have stated the stranded barge is secured and there is enough room to allow vessel traffic to resume. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
