The 35 meter long stern-wheeler passenger ship Schlei Princess became disabled on the Schlei near Karschau, Germany. The vessel was on a schedule round trip through the fjord when it suffered a malfunction with its rudder. The vessel requested assistance and the DGzRS dispatched two lifeboats to the scene. The lifeboats took the Schlei Princess under tow back to Kappeln. No reports of injuries or pollution being released.
The 111 meter long passenger ship Regina Rheni caught fire during the night on the Rhine river near Dusseldorf, Germany. The fire started in the kitchen and quickly filling the vessel with dense smoke. The crew closed the hatches to contain the blaze while moving passengers to the outer deck. The fire damaged the electrical leaving everyone in the dark. The Regina Rheni’s 102 passengers and 32 crew were safely evacuated by the assistance of rescue boats from Dusseldorf. Local firefighters boarded the vessel and the blaze was extinguished a few hours later. Ten passengers were injured and were treated for smoke inhalation. The Regina Rheni was en route to Arnhem on a schedule cruise. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.
The 39 meter long, 340 gt passenger ship Polargirl went aground off Spitsbergen near Grumant, Norway. The Polargirl was on schedule voyage between Longyearbyen and Barentsburg with 28 passengers and 5 crew when it ran aground. The passengers were safely evacuated to shore and were returned to Longyearbyen by helicopter. No reports of injuries. Reports state the vessel did not suffer any water ingress and was in little risk of danger as weather conditions were good.
