On April 16, the 17 meter long towboat Schubex 25 with a series of barges allided with a bridge on the Elbe at Hamburg, Germany. The Schubex 25 had lowered its wheelhouse, but it struck the bridge as the towboat passed under it. The master of the Schubex 25 sustained slight injuries and was taken to hospital. The bridge was undamaged. The Schubex 25 and the barges were pulled to Peute Port.
The 295 meter long container ship Choapa Trader went aground on the Elbe near Altona, Germany. The Choapa Trader was proceeding from Bremerhaven when it touched bottom while doing a maneuver. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
The 80 meter long self-propelled barge Ella collided with the 144 meter long tanker Mar Elena 1 at Hamburg, Germany. The Ella was proceeding from a quay into the turning basin when it was spotted by the Mar Elena 1. The tanker reversed engines and turned hard to port to avoid the collision, but it still swiped the barge with its forepeak. The Ella sustained multiple hull breaches and its cargo holds began to flood. Authorities quickly responded to the scene with dewatering pumps. Pumps ran continuously while several other barges were brought to the scene to help lighter the Ella’s cargo of 1100 tons of wheat. Divers were later able to make temporary repairs to allow the Ella to proceed to a shipyard. The Mar Elena 1 was allowed to proceed on its voyage to Oxelösund. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident. Reports state that alcohol and drug tests were negative.
