On Aug 4, 2014, short past 8 a.m. the "Merlin" being loaded with Gravel capsized in in Basel at the Rhine port Kleinhüningen and drifted against the port side of the Swiss flagged river cruise ship "Olympia"
Rhine closed after ship capsizing and collision On Aug 4, 2014, short past 8 a.m. the "Merlin" being loaded with Gravel capsized in in Basel at the Rhine port Kleinhüningen and drifted against the port side of the Swiss flagged river cruise ship "Olympia" (EU-No.: 08046009) which was approaching the accident site on its way to Colonia and which was unable to keep clear of the cargo ship which was drifting bottom up in the fairway. The 88,5-m-cruiser "Olympia" veered off course due to the impact and hit the French passenger m/v "Lafayette" (EU-No.: 01822624) which was moored at the shore. Its 100 passengers were taken off before the allision. The "Olympia" had on board 40 British passengers who were gathered on the upper deck with their life vests on. The cruise ship which had suffered a leak was able to berth, and the passengers were safely disembarked. The tug "Vogel Gryff" meanwhile tried to take the "Merlin" in tow. Its crew of four had been taken off the wreck by a police boat. The ship continued drifting downstream on the Rhine which had to be closed for shipping.
