Travelmarvel Jewel accidents and incidents

02 September 2011Ship Collision / Allision

(Avalon Tranquility) On September 2, 2011, the operated by Avalon Waterways river cruise ship was hit by a cargo barge near Passau Germany. The collision accident resulted in extensive hull damages to the riverboat (2-ft / 0,6 m hole) and flooding of the ship's engine room. The ship was on 14-day Rhine, Main and Danube river cruise from Amsterdam Holland to Budapest Hungary.

No injuries were reported. All the 157 passengers and 43 crew were mustered on Sun Deck, wearing lifejackets. Passengers were given the options: to either be flown home or to continue on land tour itinerary that visits all the pre-scheduled cities and sites.

As the boat sustained needed urgent repairs, divers were sent to patch the hull tear. On Sept 4, the disabled vessel was towed to Passau. On Sept 5, it was towed to Linz Austria for drydock shipyard repairs.

23 July 2009Ship Collision / Allision

(Avalon Tranquility) On July 23, 2009, in Linz Austria, at ~10 pm, the operated by Avalon Waterways river cruise ship collided with PS Schoenbrunn (1912-built, traditional paddle-wheel steamship). The docked at Urfahraner Markt Linz steamer was crashed by the manoeuvring for docking Avalon ship.

Unlike the riverboat, the paddle-wheeler sustained extensive hull damages (15 m / 49 ft long hole). Due to required drydock repairs, it was out of service for almost a year.

Before hitting the steamer, the boat cut off 3 of all the 6 steel cables that moored PS Schoenbrunn at the pontoon. This lowered the impact force and eventually saved the steamship from sinking.

Fortunately, the steamer's all 3 crew were not in the impact area (the dining salon). No injuries were reported.