Discover the Reef: Ratings & Maritime News

In the early morning hours of January 20, at 3 a.m., the tanker 'Mar Elena 1', laden with vacuumized gasoil, encountered a serious incident in the Rethe Basin. While attempting to steer hard to port and reversing full astern, the vessel's master endeavored to prevent a collision with the Polish-flagged barge 'Ella', weighing in at 1107 tons (EU-No.: 04004810). The 'Ella' was maneuvering from the Kali Quay into the turning basin to accommodate another vessel when the unfortunate collision occurred. Fortunately, the impact was mitigated somewhat due to the tanker’s angle at the moment of contact, as it struck the 'Ella' with only its starboard foreship, rather than the bow. However, the collision resulted in water flooding the breached cargo hold, which contained 1100 tons of wheat, causing the 'Mar Elena 1' to start listing. The damage inflicted included at least three leaks in the hull, prompting immediate salvage operations. Throughout the day, crews worked diligently to lighter the entire cargo onto barges while simultaneously managing to dewater the affected vessel. Divers were able to assess the situation and temporarily patch the leaks, ensuring that the forepeak and engine room remained unaffected by the inundation. By evening, the barge 'Ella' was secured and capable of proceeding to a repair yard located in Hamburg-Harburg. Investigations into the collision's cause are ongoing, with both captains having undergone drug tests, the results of which returned negative. The tanker 'Mar Elena 1' successfully departed from Hamburg at 3:40 a.m. on January 21, setting its course for Oxelösund, with an expected arrival date of January 22.

In the early hours of January 20, 2015, at 3:11 a.m., the cargo vessel 'Mar Elena 1' was involved in a significant maritime incident when it collided with the barge 'Ella' on the Rethe waterway, linking Reiherstieg and Köhlbrand in the bustling port of Hamburg. The barge 'Ella', having just vacated its dock at Kali Quay to accommodate an incoming vessel, reversed out into the turning basin and unexpectedly collided with the approaching tanker, which was preparing to depart. As a result of the collision, the 'Ella' experienced water ingress in both its bow and engine room. Quick action was taken to tow the barge back to Kali Quay in Wilhelmsburg, where its cargo of wheat was lightered to prevent further complications. Emergency response teams, including fire rescue personnel consisting of 36 members and two rescue boats, promptly arrived at the scene to manage the situation. Their efforts were crucial in dewatering the damaged barge and preventing it from sinking. In the meantime, the 'Mar Elena 1', which had journeyed from Kattwyk and was destined for Oxelösund, successfully docked at warehouse 76/77 in Ellerholz Port by 4 a.m. This incident highlights the importance of maritime safety and the quick response of rescue teams in the face of emergencies within busy port environments. For more detailed reports and photographs from the incident, refer to the German news outlets [Kn-online](http://www.kn-online.de/Schleswig-Holstein/Aus-dem-Land/Hamburg-Binnenschiff-kollidiert-mit-Tanker), [Abendblatt](http://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/polizeimeldungen/article136556681/Tanker-und-Binnenschiff-kollidieren-auf-der-Rethe-im-Hafen.html), and [Mopo](http://www.mopo.de/polizei/hafen-hamburg-schiffs-crash-mit-tanker--binnenschiff-leckgeschlagen,7730198,29614782.html).