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Tag: Rhine

Paddlewheel Steamer Fire

Paddlewheel Steamer Fire

The 83 meter long paddlewheel steamer Goethe suffered an engine room fire while off Oberwesel, Germany.   The fire started when an oil pressure hose broke loose in the engine room.  Damage to the engine room was slight, but there was heavy smoke.   On board were 174 passengers who had to disembark due to the smoke.    No one on board was injured.    The Goethe was built in 1913 and was the largest paddle wheel steamer until it’s steam engine was replaced with a diesel in 2008.  It is the only paddlewheel  steamer still in operation on the Rhine River.

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Roma Allides with Bridge

Roma Allides with Bridge

The 110 foot long inland tanker MS Roma allided with the Middle Wettstein Bridge at Basel, Switzerland.   The tanker was proceeding down the Rhine when it suffered engine failure.   The current pulled the tanker until it struck the bridge resulting in the Roma’s wheelhouse being crushed.   The crew of five on the Roma were able to stop the tanker from drifting further by an emergency anchor.    No reports of injury.   The Roma was proceeding in ballast only and no pollution was released.   Traffic on the Rhine around Basel was suspended for a short period.   The Roma was taken under tow by the tug Vogel Gryff to allow traffic to continue.

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Fire on the Alma Zevenaar

Fire on the Alma Zevenaar

The 86 meter long, 1888 ton self-propelled barge Alma Zevenaar suffered an engine fire while on the Rhine River near Tolkamer, Netherlands.   The Alma was proceeding to a shipyard after an incident the week before when the fire broke out.   The vessel headed for a nearby quay where local firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze.   Reports state the fire destroyed the wheelhouse, but the living quarters were saved.   Damage to the engine room was not reported.   All on board the Alma were uninjured.   The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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