On the afternoon of February 18, the 86 meter long self-propelled container barge Levante (MMSI: 244700816) allided on the Meuse River near Lith, Netherlands. The Levante was on a voyage from Nifrik to Rotterdam when it struck the lock gates on the larger lock at Lith. Reports state the lock gates were seriously damage and the lock was taken out of service to be assessed. No details were provided to the extent of damage on the Levante.
No reports of injuries or pollution released. Authorities state that the smaller lock is still open to traffic but limited to vessels under 114 meters long and 7 meters in height. The cause of the allision has not been disclosed.
On the morning of January 25, the 30 meter long passenger ferry Övelgönne (MMSI: 211151080) was in collision in poor visibility with a barge being pushed by the self-propelled container-barge Hanse (MMSI: 211760410) on the Elbe River at Hamburg, Germany. The Övelgönne was headed to the Dockland pier with 25 passengers from Finkenwerder when it approached the Hanse which had departed from Braunschweig with a convoy of barges. As the vessels approached the Dockland pier in dense fog, the Övelgönne was struck on the starboard hull by a lead barge. The ferry’s hull was partially crushed above the waterline with multiple windows smashed. Passengers were struck by flying debris and sprayed by water resulting in multiple injuries. One passenger was knock unconscious and was reported as in critical condition with a brain injury. Ten others on board were slightly injured with many suffering from hypothermia. The Övelgönne was able to berth where it was met by local authorities and emergency personnel. All the injured passengers were taken to hospital for treatment.
The Hanse was able to continue and proceeded to Waltershof where it berthed and met by local authorities. The water police launched an investigation into incident. Both the captains of the Övelgönne and Hanse were given a breathalyzer test which were negative. Authorities have reported that dense fog may have been a major factor in the collision. Initial investigation stated the Övelgönne was equipped with radar and it was manned with an experienced master. The investigation most likely will focus on why the radar wasn’t being monitored when visibility was limited at the time of the incident.
On the evening of January 14, the 73 meter long self-propelled container barge Hermes (MMSI: 205490990) caught fire on the Ghent Ringvaart near Merelbeke, Belgium. Reports state a boiler caught fire and released dense smoke. Local authorities and fire fighters were alerted and arrived on scene to find the blaze already extinguished. The fire fighters helped ventilate the vessel and stood down an hour later. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
