Topic: Left high and dry: Hundred's stranded in Danube drought

Hundreds of vessels are stranded in the Bulgarian section of the Danube.

A hot, dry summer has caused the water level to drop to a record low – it’s currently 31 cm, and is expected to decrease.

Approximately 150 passengers [including 34 Brits) were rescued after Viking's luxury river cruise ship 'Primadonna' got stuck. They were taken by coach to Bucharest before continuing to Malta.



The ships are stranded between the ports of Somovit and Silistra but most of them – 63 – are anchored near Ruse, reports indicate.

The Bulgarian Executive Agency for Exploration and Maintenance is sending two exploration vessels – The Vit and The Danube – to measure the river level at various spots, and is ready to send the crane vessel, The Titan, and a digger, The Vida", in order to enlarge some of the most critical sections where ships are stuck.

The navigation of the Danube River has recently been hurdled after an Ukrainian vessel became stuck near the Bulgarian Danube island of Batin.

Danube's level has declined tremendously in the recent weeks. The most critical sections are near the Bulgarian Danube islands of Vardim, Belene, and Batin, the agency informed.

The waterway at the problematic section near the island of Batin was supposed to be expanded with an €130m grant from the EU Operational Programme "Transport" but the project failed, and the funds were used elsewhere.

At least the world's Oceans have not dried up (yet!)

I remember just a few years ago there was so much water that cruises were cancelled because they couldn't get under the bridges.

At sea there are weather conditions which affect itineraries but at least they can normally keep sailing, on rivers it can be a definite no can do.... but only occasionally. .....Neil

Not sure I like the term "rescued". Certainly it was a major inconvenience but the ship ran aground at low speed and got stuck, the passengers were taken off by police launch and continued their journey by coach. Another report states "no injuries". Too often the media over dramatise to try and capture viewers and readers. Let's put things in perspective!

I wonder what happened to the 130 million Euros and how much of it did we give?

I've done several Rhine Xmas Market cruises and once when we went past the Lorelei Statue we had problems because the water was so low the gravel bank at the base of the statue was visible, yet the next year her feet were wet! River levels rise or fall dependant on the weather so dredging is the only answer when it's a dry summer.

I would also ask - what happened to the grant they got, and how much of it came out of our taxes? Is this another example of crooks ripping us off, or are those in charge of the project so incomptent that they did not do their homework before starting it? What sort of EU civil servant is so thick as to hand over all that money without safeguards such as giving the money in tranches i.e. only get more money when the first stage is completed. Another example of EU incompetence!!! Reference the depth of the river. When I was in Budapest the depth was quite sufficient for even large cargo ships. It is obvious that every river needs dredging in certain places to keep it clear - the Thames for instance. It looks like terrible planning by the river authorities in the affected countries. Again they are shown themselves to be incompetent or worse. If the money given in the grant was not used for what it was intended for, the EU central bank should demand that the money is returned immediately. Who wants to bet that the EU allow these people to get away with it - once again?

Terry Upminster

As the EU's accounts have not been accepted and signed off by their auditors for the last umteen years, it's obvious that fraud is rife. Neil Kinnock was appointed to do something about this but didn't, his wife and family got employed instead. If you can't beat them, join them. This is one of the many reasons why I want out. I think politicians want in because of the gravy.
Ta ra,
Alan

What sort of EU civil servant is so thick as to hand over all that money without safeguards

Terry , this sort of money is chicken feed to the incompetents in the EU, it's just another crooked deal that most folk will never hear of, as it won't make the front page in our papers, it probably won't even make the papers.
The faceless unallocated and in many cases failed ex politicians are taking us for a boat ride, and its not on the Danube.