Ships ignore police barriers on the Rhine – great danger for emergency services!

Ships ignore police barriers on the Rhine – great danger for emergency services!

On Thursday evening, an incident on the Rhine in Düsseldorf caused a stir: two ships broke through a police barrier that the water police had set up at the Oberkasseler Bridge to secure an operation. This risky action occurred when a skipper announced by radio that he would continue sailing despite the ban. He navigated downstream with his more than 100-meter-long freight ship, while several emergency services boats had to quickly take evasive action to avoid collisions. Ironically, two other captains also provoked the police by insulting the emergency services over the radio. Another captain followed suit and also passed the blocked area with his push convoy. The water police were unable to stop the ships despite the unauthorized breakthrough, but initiated criminal proceedings against the captains responsible.

The incident not only raises questions about safety on the water, but also highlights the challenges that emergency responders have to face in such situations. The police reported that the smaller emergency boats were also at risk because the waves were caused by the ships passing through. Safety on waterways is a central concern of the water police, who always strive to ensure both trouble-free shipping traffic and the safety of emergency services. According to duesseldorf.polizei.nrw, considerate behavior on the water is of great importance in order to promote peaceful coexistence among all water users - be it commercial shipping or recreational captains.

Traffic jam on the Rhine

At the same time, another incident affecting shipping is occurring on the Rhine. Over a dozen ships are stuck in Iffezheim, Baden-Württemberg. The reason for this is that the lock gate was stuck, caused by a loose metal chain that got caught. According to Heidelberg24, divers worked hard to remove the chain, which they eventually succeeded in doing. After several hours, passage was free again at 11:50 a.m., but initially two ships had to wait in the lock chamber, while at least ten more had to wait to continue.

The situation on the Rhine not only requires quick reactions from the emergency services, but also a high degree of responsibility from the captains. In both cases, be it the ignorance of the police blockade in Düsseldorf or the breakdown in Iffezheim, the importance of safety measures in shipping traffic is shown. The water police appeal to all boatmen to act responsibly. This is the only way to ensure safety and create calm waters for everyone.