The 209 meter long, 23882 dwt car carrier Repubblica Argentina went aground on the Western Scheldt River after suffering engine failure. The Repubblica Argentina was later released with the aid of seven tugs and berthed at Flushing. No reports of injuries or pollution being released. The car carrier was headed to Antwerp from Dakar.
The 113 meter long, 9742 dwt boxship BSLE Venus went aground on the Weser River. The vessel had lost power after a technical failure and went adrift. The crew dropped the anchor, but it go caught on a buoy and the BSLE Venus grounded on an embankment. The boxship was able to be refloated on the next high tide. Tugs towed the BSLE Venus to Bremerhaven to be inspected. No reports of injuries or pollution being released.
The level of the Danube has led to several ship groundings. The self-propelled barge “Hall”, loaded with 850 tons of canola, went aground on a gravel bar on the Danube near Deggendorfer. The tug Domarin 12 was able to pull the “Hall” free. The “Hall” suffered damage to its bow thruster and is being detained by the Water Police.
The passenger vessel Primadonna was reported aground on a sand bank near the town of Bechet, Romania. The vessel with 150 passengers on board got stuck on the bank due to the low water levels. The passengers were safely unloaded and were continuing their trip overland. Reports state the were 28 other vessels detained in ports in Romania due to the low water level.
