Roman ship replica rescued from Drava river and returned to Germany

(Photo: MORH)

OSIJEK, 29 August 2026 – A replica of an ancient Roman ship has been successfully rescued from the Drava River in Croatia and returned to Germany following a complex operation involving the Croatian Army and local firefighters.

The Danuvina Alacris, a reconstruction of a Roman-era river vessel, had become stranded on a sandbank because of the exceptionally low water level in the Drava, creating a risk of further damage and deterioration.

The Croatian Army provided engineering support to the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany, which is involved with the vessel. A total of 18 Croatian Army personnel took part in the operation – 12 members of the Engineering Battalion of the Guards Armoured-Mechanised Brigade and six members of the Engineering Regiment.

(Photo: MORH)

Special sliding “skis” were constructed by Croatian Army engineers to help move the vessel towards deeper water. The Engineering Regiment also transported a tugboat to the Riverboat Company in Osijek, allowing the ship to be towed once it had been relaunched.

The condition of the vessel presented an additional challenge. Its porous wooden construction absorbed water once the ship was placed back in the river, significantly increasing its weight and creating a risk of sinking.

(Photo: MORH)

Large quantities of water therefore had to be continuously pumped from the vessel during the operation. Members of the Osijek Public Fire Brigade assisted by removing water from inside the ship.

The rescue operation was completed successfully, and the Danuvina Alacris was safely transported to Germany.

(Photo: MORH)

The vessel is part of an international project exploring Roman river navigation and the construction and use of ancient Roman vessels. Its design is based on archaeological evidence from Roman-era boats discovered along the Danube.