On Saturday morning, 12 October, at around 8.30am, an inland vessel ran into the Borgharen weir and sank. The two crew were safely evacuated. Today, salvage works are scheduled to begin.

The vessel Humadivi, 67 metres long, loaded with white sand, was coming from Bosscherveld and, sailing – at the level of the Noorderbrug in the direction of Belgium – ran into trouble due to the strong current on the Meuse.

The vessel lies with its back side under the shipping opening of the weir. This situation causes the water level in the Meuse between Belgium and Borgharen to drop. The western slide of the weir has been pulled so that the water level can be maintained as much as possible.

A vessel of Rijkswaterstaat (responsible for the design, construction, management and maintenance of the Netherlands’ primary infrastructure facilities) is at the scene.

Also read: Yacht sinks after fire in North Sea

Salvage

The plan for salvaging the cargo vessel at Borgharen weir has been made and the necessary equipment has been called out. The tug Albatros left Rotterdam on Sunday and a crane vessel, pontoon and the tug Nautilus already arrived on Sunday afternoon.

A tug and pontoon arrived on Sunday afternoon for the salvage operation (by Rijkswaterstaat)
A tug and pontoon arrived on Sunday afternoon for the salvage operation (photo Rijkswaterstaat).

A pontoon with winches is being used for the salvage operation to hoist the freighter. Spud poles are also needed for this. Construction and preparation of the salvage operation will start on Monday, 14 October.

Damage to weir unclear, ships can still pass

After the salvage operation, the damage to the weir can be surveyed. As a precaution, a measuring instrument has been placed on the weir at the site of the collision to monitor its condition.

There is currently no blockage for shipping. Passing ships are being escorted by a Rijkswaterstaat vessel.

Also read: Sailing cargo vessel capsizes and sinks, two missing

Impact on water levels

The location of the stranded vessel means that the Borgharen weir is not fully operable. The weir’s western slide is drawn and therefore holds back water (retaining effect). On top of that, there is a declining water outflow on the Meuse.

Rijkswaterstaat statesa that the water level of the Meuse between Maastricht and weir Borgharen, also known as the upstream part (canal edge), is going to fall. A falling water level could affect houseboats, marinas and businesses. Rijkswaterstaat is closely monitoring the situation and is in contact with the safety region and municipality.

Picture (top): The ship is sinking. The two people on board have disembarked safely (by Rijkswaterstaat).

Also read: VIDEO: Inland container ship hits Willemsbrug in Rotterdam