On the evening of November 12, the 108.5 meter long self-propelled barge Omega (MMSI: 244770363) caught fire on the Twentekanaal at the port of Goor, Netherlands. The Omega was hauling a cargo of scrap metal when a fire broke out in the cargo. The vessel berthed at a quay where the local fire brigade were called to fight the blaze. Firefighters deployed a crane over the vessel and spray foam over the burning cargo until the fire was brought under control.
Photo: 112twente.nl
Photo: 112twente.nl
Photo: 112twente.nl
Photo: goorsnieuws.nl
Photo: goorsnieuws.nl
Photo: goorsnieuws.nl
Photo: goorsnieuws.nl
No reports of injuries to the crew of the Omega or the fire fighters. The extent of damage was not disclosed.
On the early morning of November 9, the 70 meter long self-propelled barge Lobenstein (MMSI: 211497070) went adrift on the Elbe River off Geesthacht, Germany. Authorities at the Geesthacht lock spotted the Lobenstein adrift and unmanned. An investigation found the Lobenstein had been intentionally been untied from its berth by unknown persons. The same persons concealed their crime by also destroying the nearby surveillance cameras. Authorities state the vessel had been victim to vandalism in the past. The Geesthacht police has launched an investigation and the owner of the Lobenstein has offered 1,000 euros reward for information leading to an arrest.
Reports state the vessel was safely recovered. No reports of injuries, damage or pollution released.
On the morning of October 12, the 67 meter long self-propelled barge Humadivi (MMSI: 205419480) sank on the Meuse off Borgharen, Belgium. The Humadivi had departed from Bosscherveld with a cargo of white sand when it run into issues on the Meuse. The barge was caught by strong currents and was pulled into an open gate on the Borgharen weir. The stern of the Humadivi became wedge in the opening allowing the river to quickly flood into the vessel’s holds and later sinking the barge. The two crew on board were safely rescued and were unharmed.
Photo: swzmaritime.nl
An initial salvage with towlines was attempted, but it failed to budge the Humadivi from the bottom. Another attempt dredged around the barge, removed the cargo hatches and lightered the remaining cargo of sand, but the Humadivi could not be lifted. Several days later additional pumps and a winch cable system were able to free the vessel from the weir. The Humadivi was pulled away where it was towed to Beatrixhaven. There the vessel was completely pumped free of water so a crane could lift and place it atop another barge so it can be taken to a shipyard for repairs. Reports state most of the cargo of white sand had been washed away during the incident.
An inspection of the weir found it sustained little to no damage and the opening was closed allowing the water level to rise on the Meuse. Reports state vessel traffic could be resumed on October 19.
