According to the Police Headquarters for Operations, Logistics, and Technology, this morning there was an incident at Rhine kilometer 523 involving a collision of a 185-meter-long cargo push-tow loaded with a total of 2,870 tons of coal.
During a routine ship inspection by the Water Police Mainz, the port-side coupling wire between the pushing cargo motor ship (GMS) and the pushed cargo barge (GSL) initially
snapped. As a result, the GSL buckled, leading to the starboard side coupling wire breaking.
As a result of the connection separation, a collision occurred. The bow of the cargo barge hit the starboard side of the GMS. The GSL then ran aground on gravelly ground near the longitudinal works of Ilmenaue outside the navigable channel.
No InjuriesIt is reported that the pushing GMS was
able to safely moor at the sheet pile wall of the Geisenheim loading facility after the incident. At the time of the incident, there were no other ships in the immediate vicinity, and the crew on board was not near the affected coupling elements. No persons were harmed.
After an initial inspection, it is stated that a slight water ingress in the area of the
cargo barge cannot be ruled out. The recovery of the GSL is scheduled for the earliest tomorrow, Saturday.
Whether this can be carried out using a towing service or requires partial unloading (lighterage) will be decided during the course of tomorrow after consultation between the river master and the casualty commissioner. The Water Police Mainz has opened an investigation into the exact cause of the
