On August 16, the 85 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Alina ran aground on the Elbe near Zollenspieker, Germany. The Alina was proceeding in ballast toward Hamburg when it suffered a steering fault and veered out of the fairway running up on a sandbank. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released. The Alina remained aground until the next day when it was refloated on the rising tide.
On May 25, a fire broke out on the 80 meter long self-propelled barge Admiral while moored on the Elbe River at Roßdamm, Germany. The Admiral had been moored at Roßdamm a few days when a fire broke out in the vessel’s galley. Nearby witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing out from the vessel and alerted authorities. Local fire brigade arrived on scene and found the bow cabin engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able later to contain the fire and soon after extinguish it.
The sole person on board the vessel perished in the fire. Authorities state the person may not been able to escape before succumbing to the smoke. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 30 meter long passenger vessel Großer Michel ran aground on the Elbe near Hamburg, Germany. The Großer Michel was charted out for a voyage along the Rissen shoreline with 54 passengers. While off Falkensteiner Ufer, the passenger ship suffered a technical fault and ran aground.
The crew alerted the port authorities that the vessel was aground. The Großer Michel attempted to free itself on the receding tide, but quickly found itself high and dry. Vessels from the water police and local fire brigade arrived on scene a short time later and safely evacuated all the passengers off the vessel. No reports of injuries.
Reports state the Großer Michel was to be refloated on the next high tide. The vessel was to be surveyed for damage. The water police have launched an investigation into the incident.