The 110 meter long self-propelled barge Werchina caught fire while berthed along the Waal at IJzendoorn, Netherlands. The fire started in the vessel’s engine room and the local fire brigade was alerted. Firefighters and a fireboat arrived on scene and extinguished the blaze. Damage to the Werchina was limited to the engine room. No reports of injuries or pollution released.
The 105 meter long river passenger ship Hemingway collided with a barge on the Waal near Deest, Netherlands. The Hemingway had suffered rudder failure when it struck the cement laden barge. No reports of injuries to the 79 passengers or crew on board the Hemingway or those on the barge. The Hemingway was later escorted to a shipyard in Dodewaard by authorities to conduct an investigation into the incident.
The 110 meter long self-propelled barge Julien allided with the bridge over the Waal River at Nijmegen, Netherlands. The Julien was en route to Germany with a cargo of coal when it lost its rudder and went adrift. The barge drifted until it crashed into one of the pillars of the bridge. No reports of injuries or pollution released. Reports state that river traffic was not blocked and train traffic over the bridge was allowed, but only at a reduced speed. Authorities have launched a search for the rudder and have started an investigation into the incident.