DE ZONNEBLOEM

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Repair to last until end of June

The 'De Zonnebloem' is being repaired at the at the Gerlien van Tiem shipyard in Druten and will beout of service for over two months. Sailings have been cancelled until the end of June.The collision with the 'Servia' has caused enormous damage to the ship, which was carrying 69 passengers, 65 volunteers and 15 crew members at the time of the accident. The damage to the ship amounts to approximately one million euros. The repair time partly depends on delivery times for new parts and the time it takes for the repair work,. The ship sails about 40 weeks a year and offers trips in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium for people with a (severe) physical disability. Report with photos and video: https://www.gelderlander.nl/druten/geramd-schip-de-zonnebloem-wordt-in-druten-gerepareerd-en-is-ruim-2-maanden-uit-de-vaart-vakanties-tot-eind-juni-afgezegd~aee7bf7b/

'De Zonnebloem' berthed at Shipyard de Gerlien van Tiem in Druten for repairs

The 'De Zonnebloem' berthed at the Shipyard de Gerlien van Tiem in Druten on March 30. The company De Zonnebloem seeks support for alternative holidays now that the only ship is out of service for months. All guests have returned home safely. However, the ship sustained severe damage to the bow. The master of the 'Servia', that collided with the ship on the German Rhine tested positive for alcohol. This was announced by the police. A blood test was therefore also carried out, but the results are not yet known. Report with photo: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/04/02/de-zonnebloem-zoekt-steun-voor-alternatieve-vakanties-nu-enige-schip-uit-de-vaart-is/

Collision on the Rhine - master of cargo ship suspected of consuming alcohol

The 'De Zonnebloem'', designed to transport people with disabilities, was in a head-on-collision with the inland vessel 'Servia' (MMSI:24418518), which was en route from Rotterdam to Ghent, on March 29, 2025, at 3.15 a.m. near Voerde-Spellen close to Wesel on the Rhine at river kilometre 809. None of the 69 passengers - people with a disability -, 65 volunteers and 15 crew members were injured, The foreship was torn open at port side on 20 square meters. The water police in Emmerich directed the passenger ship into the port of Wesel. The passengers had to leave the ship. De Zonnebloem was trying to get everyone home as quickly as possible. Employees in both Germany and the Netherlands were working on arranging this. The transport company Valys, specialized in transporting people with disabilities, has offered to bring everyone back to the Netherlands in adapted vans. The 'De Zonnebloem'' sails on the Rhine to and from Germany for about 40 weeks a year and also makes cruises on Belgian and Dutch waters. Every year, almost 3,000 people with physical disabilities go on holiday with it. The 'Servia' was damaged at the port side bow above the waterline too. It was ordered to berth in Duisburg for investigations, after Duisburg Water Police officers boarded the vessel, that was presumably responsible for the accident, and banned it from sailing. Because the vessel's captain was suspected of having consumed alcohol, officers took him to the Duisburg station, where a doctor took a blood sample. The Emmerich Water Police officers have begun an investigation, which is currently ongoing. The captain of the vessel now faces criminal proceedings. On March 31 it shifted to Ludwigshafen. Reports iwth photos: https://www.schuttevaer.nl/nieuws/actueel/2025/03/29/enige-schip-zonnebloem-aangevaren-mogelijk-maanden-uit-de-vaart/ https://www.transport-online.nl/79894/schip-van-de-zonnebloem-aangevaren-door-vrachtschip-en-maanden-uit-de-vaart/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJWRSNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVFhFcTI5jk11nTtFmVzm0fsmURb_xNiBBAGh7yIKF7k_IyBaS70MXS8lQ_aem_7k2zktHyStaWKe9ngiyOgQ https://nos.nl/artikel/2561546-vakantieschip-de-zonnebloem-loopt-averij-op-in-duitsland https://www.presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/50510/6002565