On the morning of November 7, the 17 meter long towboat Catharina 5 (MMSI: 244650935) caught fire while berthed on the Eemskanaal in Farmsum, Netherlands. The local fire brigade arrived on scene and found the smoke emitting from the vessel. The responders inspected the vessel and ventilated the towboat of smoke. No reports of injuries and damage to the Catharina 5 was minimal. No reports of pollution released.
On the morning of September 23, the 15 meter long, 37 ton towboat Phoenix (ENI: 02314304) with the 88 meter long, 3718 ton barge Antverpia 104 struck the Pont des Arches bridge over the Meuse River at Liège, Belgium. The Antverpia 104 bow struck a pier of the bridge sustaining a significant dent in the hull. Traffic on the bridge was halted for several hours to inspect the bridge for damage. After the inspection, authorities allowed limited traffic on the bridge to resume with one lane closed.
The cause for the allision is under investigation. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
On August 16, the 16 meter long towboat Hannelore (MMSI: 211746400) ran aground and sank on the Danube near Passau, Germany. The Hannelore was pushing a dredger when it went aground off the Lindau Oil terminal. The towboat suffered uncontrolled water ingress from a defective valve and partially sank in 2.5 meters of water. The Grubweg fire brigade placed booms around the Hannelore to contain pollution. An attempt to raise the towboat failed and a floating crane will be brought onsite to salvage the vessel. Reports state damage to the Hannelore around 10000 euros.