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NARRATIVE
A container vessel, flag - foreign, while coming along side under
pilotage in Indian port collided with a motor launch. On 9th
February, 2005 at 1218 hrs, the pilot boarded the vessel about one and
half miles south of the entrance buoy. The pilot used 3 Nos of tugs for
berthing operations. When the vessel reached the turning circle and astern
movement was ordered the engine's response did not come for at least 4
minutes. The vessel was having large windage area as a result of which,
she became broad side on to the wind and bow of this vessel came in
contact with wooden motor launch on 09.02.2005 at 1246 hrs. The launch was
disintegrated into pieces. The only person on the launch i.e. the Master
safely escaped. The container ship berthed along side on 09.02.2005 at
1330 hrs.
OBSERVATIONS/ANALYSISES
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The presence of
the motor launch made fast to the barge about 50 mtrs. away from the
navigational channel is considered to be unsafe.
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The Master and
pilot exchange of information was carried out verbally.
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During the
berthing operation, the engine was under bridge control.
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The owner of the
launch received a compensation of Rs. 8.5 lakhs from the port
authorities and compensation of Rs 16 lakhs was paid by the ship to the
port authorities for all damages.
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The delay in
engine's response was reportedly due to rupture of bursting disk on the
pipe of the starting valve.
RECOMMENDATIONS/LESSONS LEARNT
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Unless properly
fended, no object should be allowed in close proximity of vessels while
maneuvering, navigating in restricted/confined waters such as channel/
turning circle in the harbor.
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The pilot being
in control of navigation of the vessel though under the orders of Master
should ensure that the vessel's propulsion / steering gear system along
with the ship's sound signaling appliances are tested on each occasion
without fail before the commencement of berthing/unberthing or anchoring
operations.
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The Master/Chief
Engineer of the vessel as part of good observance of seamanship and safe
Navigational/Engineering Practices respectively should make sure that
the bridge Control Mode for the Main engines are switched over to
local/manual mode.
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During such
maneuver, the responsible, an experienced, qualified navigating/
Engineer officer should be present on bridge and in the engine room to
assist the command and Chief engineer/officer respectively.
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The Master and
Pilot should exchange the information in proper documented manner as
required by the STCW convention - STCW-A-VIII/2 Part 3-1.
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The Master should
make sure that Port or the berth is safe from adequacy of under keel
clearance, fendering, navigational channel, availability of Tugs,
sufficient lighting and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) etc.
Sd/-
(Capt. Deepak Kapoor)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech)
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