A COLLISION on the Danube River in
Germany last Fri has forced the suspension of
a cruise onboard the 170-passenger Avalon
Tranquility after it was struck by a cargo ship
which broke free from its anchor.
The cruise operator said that the incident,
just north of Passau, left a 60cm hole in the
ship’s hull, which didn’t affect passenger areas
but caused the engine room to flood.
Passengers were mustered on deck in their
lifejackets while the captain maneuvered the
ship to the shore, and Uniworld’s River
Empress which was passing at the time, helped
take guests off the stricken vessel.
They were transferred to hotels in
Deggendorf and given the option to either fly
home or continue the itinerary via coach.
“In addition, all travellers are being
compensated with a refund for the majority of
their cruise and voucher for future travel in
2011, 2012 or 2013,” Avalon Waterways said.
Emergency repairs to the vessel saw the
Danube closed to river traffic in both
directions, with Tranquility eventually
stabilised with the help of high capacity pumps
to stop it from sinking before being towed to
the shipyard in Linz for repairs.
