On March 20, the 105 meter long self-propelled barge Delos collided with the 65 meter long self-propelled barge Ventura on the Rhine near Xanten, Germany. The Delos struck the Ventura resulting in destroying the wheelhouse of the Ventura. The master and his wife on the Ventura sustained serious injuries and were taken to hospital. Reports state the cause of the collision was not clear.The water police has launched an investigation.
The 80 meter long self-propelled barge Verandering allided with the Koningin Máxima Bridge at Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands. The Verandering was passing under the bridge when the wheelhouse struck the bridge. The Verandering’s wheelhouse had its roof torn off while the bridge sustained some concrete damage. Traffic was halted until the Verandering was taken to a nearby quay while the bridge was inspected for damage. No reports of injuries.
The 67 meter long self-propelled barge Tsunami sprung a leak while berthed on the Mittelland Canal near Mehrum, Germany. Loaded with 600 tons of grain, the Tsunami developed water ingress in the engine room from a broken pipe. The crew contacted the local fire brigade who arrived on scene finding the engine room with a several feet of an oil-water mixture. Ice in the canal prevented booms being placed around the barge and a company was called to pump the pollution off the Tsunami. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
