Browsed by
Tag: Rhine

Helene

Helene

Helene

On the morning of August 17, the 62 meter long ferry Helene (MMSI: 211276280)  collided with a tanker on the Rhine near Gernsheim, Germany. The Helene was making a crossing between Gernsheim and Eich with three vehicles and six people on board when it struck an empty self-propelled tanker barge.  Both vessels sustained hull damage, but were able to stay afloat. Reports state the Helene had allowed to vessels to pass upstream, but failed to spot the downstream tanker. The Helene was taken out of service for inspection and repair. No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Thekla

Thekla

Thekla
Photo: tag24.de

On March 9, the 100 meter long self-propelled barge Thekla allided with a jetty on the Rhine at Colonia-Niehl, Germany. The Thekla was proceeding on the Rhine in high water when it struck the submerged jetty.  The barge sustained damage to its starboard bow with water ingress in the forward cabin and bow thruster room.  Still under its own power, the Thekla proceeded to the basin in Niehl.  Local fire brigade were alerted and begun dewatering efforts with portable pumps. A fireboat arrived on scene and monitored the situation.

The following day another barge was arrived on scene and help unload the cargo of aluminum hydroxide to help keep the vessel higher in the water.  No reports of injuries or pollution released.

Piz Ela

Piz Ela

Piz Ela
Photo: wormser-zeitung.de

The 86 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Piz Ela collided a barge on the Rhine near Eich, Germany.  The Piz Ela wsa proceeding from Mainz with a cargo of caustic soda when it struck a barge loaded with gravel. The gravel barge sustained heavy damage and suffered water ingress at the bow. The Piz Ela sustained hull damage, but no release of the cargo.  The local fire brigades were alerted and arrived on scene to find the gravel barge partially sunk.  Dewatering pumps were deployed and kept the gravel barge afloat. Rescuers found the master of the Piz Ela was slightly injured by the collision and was taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities were able to place temporary patches on both vessels. Another barge arrived to help lighter the gravel cargo.  Reports state the master of the Piz Ela had no license and lack the necessary number of crew on board to operate. The tanker-barge was detained until a licensed master could take over the voyage. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.