Motor tanker in Oestrich-Winkel: Dramatic stranding on the Rhine

Motor tanker in Oestrich-Winkel: Dramatic stranding on the Rhine

Oestrich-Winkel experienced a dramatic incident on the Rhine!On the evening of October 27, 2024, a motor tanker (TMS) traveling from Rotterdam to Ludwigshafen with 1,500 tons of Xylene Ortho was affected by an unexpected technical breakdown. At around 8 p.m. the ship's rudder failed, putting the team on high alert. However, thanks to the emergency rudder, the skipper was able to anchor the TMS safely just outside the shipping channel.

Failed rescue maneuver

A salvage operation was planned for the morning of October 28, 2024, during which the damaged ship was to be coupled alongside another TMS in order to be repaired in the Mainz roadstead. But the project was doomed to failure from the start! Difficulties in retrieving the port bow anchor resulted in the TMS being forced heavily to starboard and eventually running aground. A horror scenario that no one could have predicted!

At 10 a.m. a leader boat from Trechtigungshausen was quickly alerted. Under great pressure, several attempts were made to get the stuck motor tanker afloat again. After intense and nerve-wracking hours of struggling to control the ship, the TMS was finally successfully pulled free at 2 p.m. An exciting day on the Rhine, which impressively shows how quickly the situation on the water can change!