The 80 meter long self-propelled barge Samara caught fire while in the shipyard at Het Bosch in Zwartsluis, Netherlands. The fire started in the bow when repairs caused a short circuit. The local fire brigade was called and was able to bring the blaze under control. No reports of injuries.
On June 3, the 73 meter long self-propelled barge Tecla struck a bridge over the Rhine-Herne Canal at Duisburg-Oberhausen, Germany. The Tecla was proceeding with just ballast after unloading its cargo in Gelsenkirchen. As the barge passed under the Strekrade Road Bridge, the vessel’s wheelhouse struck the bridge.
The wheelhouse was demolished with the roof torn off and falling into the water. Luckily, the three crew on board were uninjured. The bridge sustained no damage. The water police has detained the Tecla while it undergoes repairs and authorities conduct an investigation. Reports state damage to the Tecla is estimated to be 30,000 €.
On May 25, a fire broke out on the 80 meter long self-propelled barge Admiral while moored on the Elbe River at Roßdamm, Germany. The Admiral had been moored at Roßdamm a few days when a fire broke out in the vessel’s galley. Nearby witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing out from the vessel and alerted authorities. Local fire brigade arrived on scene and found the bow cabin engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able later to contain the fire and soon after extinguish it.
The sole person on board the vessel perished in the fire. Authorities state the person may not been able to escape before succumbing to the smoke. The water police has launched an investigation into the incident.
