A Rhine Collision
The 135 meter long, 260 dwt river passenger cruise ship A Rosa Aqua collided with the 110 meter long self-propelled barge Marjo-R on the Rhine near Düsseldorf, Germany. The A Rosa Aqua was en route to Basel from Amsterdam with 180 passengers and 50 crew when it struck head-on with the corn laden Marjo-R. The A Rosa Aqua sustained significant bow damage, but did not sustain any water ingress. The Marjo-R sustained severe bow damage resulting in water ingress and some oil pollution released. Thirteen passengers were injured with three taken to hospital. The A Rosa Aqua was later escorted by a fire boat to Schnellenburg where it was inspected for damage. The Marjo-R was takeen to Neuss by another fire boat after it was stabilized with dewatering pumps. Reports state the cause of collision may be the result of a faulty bow thruster on the Marjo-R.