Helmswoman in court: Drunk or passed out when hitting the lock?

Helmswoman in court: Drunk or passed out when hitting the lock?

Today, November 4th, 2025, an appeal process begins in Karlsruhe that has been causing a stir since the worrying incident at the Iffezheim lock. The focus is on the helmsman of a freighter, who was sentenced to a five-month suspended sentence in November 2023. At that time she drove the fully loaded freighter “La Primavera” into the closed lock, which led to a serious accident. This not only ended with millions in damage, but also with the destruction of the 80-ton lock gate, which had to be replaced. The lock remained out of operation for over a year until it was finally able to return to normal operation, which placed a heavy burden on both shipping and residents.

Loud SWR The helmswoman's guilt is now being heard in the Higher Shipping Court and a central point is being highlighted: Was she drunk at the time of the accident? This is particularly explosive because after the accident she had a blood alcohol concentration of at least 1.13 per mille. The tax woman herself stated that she had consumed two to three glasses of wine the night before. Her statement that she fainted during the accident is supported by genetic heart problems that were discovered after the incident.

Legal dispute surrounding the accident

The entire incident not only led to criminal consequences, but also to a parallel civil case against the Dutch shipping company responsible for the freighter. The sought payment of damages raises questions regarding liability and responsibility. The helmsman, who returned to her cabin after the collision and drank another glass of wine, also denies having consumed alcohol after the accident, which the court must now clarify. So it remains to be seen how the legal situation will develop.

To shed light on the context of what happened, it is exciting to mention that the incident is not only important for the immediate surroundings. In a completely different but equally fascinating world, alpacas, known for their highly valued wool production, have become increasingly popular in recent years. These cute animals, originally from South America, can now be found on farms and ranches throughout Europe and North America. Loud Wikipedia Alpaca wool is not only soft, but also water and flame retardant, which makes it particularly attractive for the textile industry. If you think about the incident at the lock, you might also wonder what the cute alpacas would think of all this commotion.

What does this mean for the future?

In any case, this event draws attention to shipping safety and the responsible handling of ships. The upcoming hearing is being followed with excitement, not only by the parties involved, but also by many residents who are directly affected by the consequences of the accident.