On the evening July 18, a cargo vessel allided with a moored self-propelled barge on the Rhine near Friemersheim, Germany. The cargo vessel struck the stern and tore a meter gash above the waterline into the hull of the barge. No one was injured in the incident. The water police has launched an investigation. The self-propelled barge was allowed to proceed to a shipyard for repairs. The cargo vessel was allowed to proceed on its journey on the Rhine.
On the morning of May 8, the 171 meter long combined self-propelled barge Carisma I (MMSI: 244010927) and barge Carisma II allided with two moored vessels on the Rhine River in Cologne, Germany. The Carisma I/II was headed to Emmerich from Dordrecht when the connection between the barges split. The current pulled the disconnected barge towards the embankment causing it to strike two moored Viking passenger ships. Fortunately, there was no significant damage to all vessels involved. No injuries were reported.
On the afternoon of March 13, the 110 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge RP Praag (IMO: 9982847) caught fire on the Rhine near Grimlingshausen, Germany. The fire erupted in the engine room releasing dense smoke. A fire recue boat from Neuss arrived on scene with fire fighters who boarded the RP Praag. An inspection found the fire had extinguished itself and only the engine room was filled with smoke. Fire fighters used ventilators to clear smoke out of the compartment. One crew member sustained injuries from smoke inhalation and was taken to hospital for treatment.
The RP Praag was able to proceed to Neuss where it berthed. Damage from the fire was not disclosed. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.