shipping - Seized accident-ship may continue
The cargo ship "La Primavera," which rammed and partially destroyed the Iffezheim Lock (Rastatt district) on the Upper Rhine in November, is allowed to continue. The ship was temporarily seized at the lock. The owner was supposed to comply with a security measure. Damages were expected to exceed two million Euros. At the order of a bailiff, the ship was secured with a chain and lock, preventing it from moving. However, the chain will be removed and instead, a pledge seal will be affixed to the ship, the Landgericht Baden-Baden announced.
The Federal Republic of Germany, to which the lock belongs, and the owner had agreed that the ship could continue sailing until the final resolution of the case. However, only on European waterways. The ship must always be locatable. Additionally, it must dock at a German port on demand.
In its ruling on the release of the ship, the court stated: "Considering these circumstances, the lack of seaworthiness of the ship, and its sheer size, there are no discernible indications that the ship could be hidden by the debtor or that the creditor's claim could be jeopardized from other reasons." The owner of the inland vessel is a Dutch law society.
Stewardess was drunk
The "La Primavera" rammed head-on into the closed lock gate at Iffezheim in November. Due to the impact, the ship pierced the lock gate with its bow and became stuck. Another ship was present in the lock during the accident. No one was injured. The stewardess of the "La Primavera" was reportedly drunk. An alcohol blood test yielded a result of 0.75 parts per thousand.
The 80-tonne gate at the right chamber of the lock was completely destroyed during the incident. It needs to be replaced. The Rhine lock is only navigable through two lock chambers, which could lead to waiting times in shipping traffic. Due to construction work, the gate is not expected to be operational until approximately the end of 2024.
- The Federal Republic of Germany, recognizing the complexity of the situation, decided to allow the cargo ship "La Primavera" to continue sailing on European waterways, subject to certain conditions.
- The accident at the Iffezheim Lock, located in the Rastatt District of the Upper Rhine, involved a significant impact between the ship and the lock gate, resulting in damage that required the use of a pledge seal instead of a chain to secure the vessel.
- Despite the agreement between Germany and the ship's owner, Baden-Baden's Landgericht emphasized the importance of the ship's locatability and its obligation to dock at a German port upon demand, further highlighting the significance of the incident in the Federal Republic of Germany's waterways.
- The investigation into the accident revealed that the stewardess of the "La Primavera" had consumed excess alcohol before the incident, leading to a blood alcohol content of 0.75 parts per thousand, adding another layer of complexity to the already challenging situation.
