On March 4, the 21 meter long tugboat Wilgum sprung a leak on the Mittelland Canal near Hannover, Germany. The leak was in the vessel’s engine room and overwhelmed the tug’s pumps. The local fire brigade was contacted and arrived with dewatering pumps. The firemen were able to pump out over 3 tons of water mixed with oil from the Wilgum while a temporary patch to seal the leak. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 67 meter long self-propelled barge Tsunami sprung a leak while berthed on the Mittelland Canal near Mehrum, Germany. Loaded with 600 tons of grain, the Tsunami developed water ingress in the engine room from a broken pipe. The crew contacted the local fire brigade who arrived on scene finding the engine room with a several feet of an oil-water mixture. Ice in the canal prevented booms being placed around the barge and a company was called to pump the pollution off the Tsunami. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 77 meter long self-propelled barge Fulda allided with the lock on the Mittelland Canal at Sülfeld, Germany. The Fulda, loaded with 756 tonnes of feed, had proceeded into the lock when the vessel accidentally moved too far forward and struck the barrier over the lock. The Fulda sustained significant bow damage and was detained by authorities. No reports of injuries or pollution released. The water police launched an investigation into the incident.