CURRENCY

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Grounding caused by human error

The grounding of the "Currency", underway with 1400 tons naphta on the Rhine on Dec 19 at 2 a.m. was caused by a navigational error of the 2nd master. The 66 year old German veered too late to port when passing a barge which was sailing river upwards, and got stuck at the right river shore at km 553,7. The Dutch master awoke and refloated the ship after a check of the engine and rudder. The river traffic which had been barred by the traffic control Oberwesel in the meantime could be resumed already 15 minutes later. At 2.15 a.m. water ingress in the bow thruster room was remarked. The police boat "WSP 19“ was already on scene for investigations and ordered the tanker to the anchorage Bad Salzig. The fire rescue was called and pumped out 150 cbm water with three pumps out of the foreship which was flooded two meters high. The ship had suffered a breach of 20x20 cem and another small breach in the outer hull. A diver was unable to weld the leaks from outside due to the strong currents and patched them with a special sealant. The "Currency" could resume the voyage at 11.45 a.m. to unload the cargo in Antwerp, before the damage is repaired in a yard. The damage was estimated to be Close to 100000 Euro. The responsible master was fired.

Grounding on the Rhine

In the night of Dec 18, 2015, the "Currency" 2999 ts (EU-No.: 02326969), ran aground on the Rhine near Boppard, river km 537, with a cargo of 1277 tons naphta on board. The barge was enroute from Speyer to Antwerp when it got stuck due to currents near Boppard. The ship suffered a leak in the bow, and the bow thruster room was flooded. After the ship was refloated, it was taken to a nearby emergency berth where divers patched the leak. On Dec 19 around noon the ship was able to continue its voyage. German report with photos: http://www.rhein-zeitung.de/region/lokales/hunsrueck.html