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Tank barge grounded on the Rhine

On Oct 16, 2018, at 06:25 a.m. the "Toermalijn", 3065 ts (EU-No.: 02324023), ran aground on the Rhine near Mechtersheim enroute from Rotterdam to Birsfelden with a cargo of 715 tons gas oil. The ship got stuck at river km 388,900 at the left river shore and was hampering the passing traffic. The water police and river authority guarded the grounding site. Seven ships had to wait for transit. A first salvage attempt was started at 12.30 p.m. but had to be aborted at 1.10 p.m. Then a stronger container barge was requested to join the salvage. Both ships managed to pull the barge off in the 4th attempt at 3.30 p.m. It was allowed to resume the voyage after an inspection, ETA Oct 17, 2 p.m. The low water level on the river and the swell of another ship were made responsible for the grounding. German report with photo and video: https://www.rheinpfalz.de/lokal/artikel/mechtersheim-tankschiff-auf-sandbank-im-rhein-festgefahren-video-bildergalerie/