Trapped Vessels Freed in Saar and Moselle for Lock Repairs

The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration has successfully freed all vessels that were previously trapped on the Saar in France and the Moselle in Germany above the lock at Müden, Germany. Despite the challenges, they completed this phase of the recovery effort ahead of schedule. The lock is expected to reopen by the beginning of February, more than a month earlier than originally planned. A total of 78 emergency lock operations were conducted in just 10 days, with 72 vessels cleared to continue their journeys. This Herculean task required extensive cooperation and coordination.

The lock gates were destroyed during a locking operation mishap on December 8, prompting the need for a temporary solution to free the trapped vessels. The operation involved manually placing removable dam beams for each locking operation, a process that required 192 hours of continuous work in all weather conditions. Divers had to enter the chamber numerous times to hook chains into eyelets. After eight days, 70 ships had successfully passed through the lock, with the final two vessels scheduled to transit on December 27.

The lock is now closed for repairs, with various components needing to be fabricated, installed, and repaired. The timeline calls for the completion of repairs by mid-January, with operations to reassemble the lock set to begin shortly after. The closure of the lock has necessitated alternate routes for the transportation of goods, fuel, and passengers, impacting the movement of materials from the Rhine to Western Germany, Luxembourg, and France. The Müden lock serves as a vital link for regional transportation.

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