Stellar-Alazani

After having been completely unloaded in Brake, the "Mount Hope" left the Niedersachsen Quay on Nov 17 at 1.45 p.m. under tow of two tugs and berthed at the German Dry Docks Yard in Bremerhaven for repairs at 3.15 p.m. She left the yard again on Dec 10 at 12.40 a.m. and headed to Rouen as next port of call, ETA Dec 12.

While the "Mount Hope" was still unloaded at the Niedersachsen Quay in Brake, the police launched an investigation against the 1st officer of the ship after finding hints regarding a respnsibility for the allision due to faulty behaviour. The 42 year old Philippino had to pay a safety deposit of 8.000 Euro. The damage was estimated to be some million Euro. Actually the Weser fairway was surveyed regarding possible obstructions of the river by debris of the destroyed pier. Photos: http://www.forum-schiff.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=55#p142373

Investigations and repairs of the damage caused by the allision of the "Mount Hope" with the Polish flagged, self propelled barge "Lee", 1065 ts (EU-No.: 4401580; MMSI-No.: 261183210; CS: SR3210),and the pier in Brake will take weeks. Technicians inspected the rudder gear, the failure of which caused the accident. On Nov 14 experts of the ship accident investigation commission were expected on site. Divers were called to survey the hull which had been breached as well as the damaged pier. Due to the strong currents which only allow limited diving times and the low visibility their work could take some days as well. On Nov 13 a ship with sonar equipment was sounding the bottom of the Weser to find out if there were any threats to ship navigation. The results were expected to be published on Nov 14. The "Mount Hope" has been detained at the Niedersachsen Quay for this purpose, whereas the "Lee", which had suffered hull damage, but no water ingress, could be released in the meantime. Only once the investigations have been finished, the amount of damage can be fixed and the repairs may start which will take weeks as well. Cargo operations of the company J. Müller, will be affected by the tempoerary loss of the pier capacity, but operator N-ports was confident to find alternative quay space in the port.