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NARRATIVE
A General Cargo vessel, built in - 1997,
GRT - 5002, with two cargo holds, flag - foreign, loaded with 6273 cbm of
round logs arrived at outer roads of an Indian port on 23.5.2009 at 2036
hrs. The vessel was awaiting for berthing instructions. On 25.5.2009 at
1218 hrs. the vessel was brought to inner anchorage under pilotage. The
vessel dropped her anchor at inner anchorage on the same day at 1300 hrs.
as the berth was not available. On 25.5.2009 with pilot on board the
vessel first dragged her anchor at 1315 hrs. Thereafter, the vessel had
series of near misses and incidents with pilot on board. Details are as
under.
DATE
25.5.2009
TIME EVENTS
1315
hrs. Dragging anchor and commenced heaving anchor.
1351
hrs. Vessel is stern touched bottom on eastern bank,
while pilot on board.
However, the vessel re-floated with
the help of engines and tide.
1406
hrs. Vessel made contact damage with another vessel
during maneuvering to re-anchor with pilot on board.
1454
hrs. Vessel re-anchored very close to the vessel with
whom it made contact, and therefore, the Master requested the port for
shifting to safer place.
1606
hrs. The vessel re-anchored in safer position.
1743
hrs. Pilot disembarked.
1900
hrs. Vessel again started dragging anchor again.
1905 hrs.
Master reported dragging of anchor to Port Signal
Station.
1918
hrs. Vessel dragging towards oil jetty. Master heaved
up anchor.
1955 hrs.
Vessel was grounded on western bank.
2012
hrs. Pilot on board and used two tugs for assistance
in refloating the vessel.
2335 hrs.
Vessel refloated at flood tide.
26.05.2009
0104
hrs. Vessel was secured to berth.
OBSERVATIONS/ANALYSISES
Wind: South
Westerly of fore 5
Tide: 0914 hrs. 0.22 m., 1518 hrs. 7.04 m & 2159 hrs. 1.85 m.
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The rudder stock
of the vessel was damaged due to grounding.
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The vessel's hull
sustained substantial damage.
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There was no
proper exchange of information between Master & Pilot.
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The vessel's
windage area had increased considerably due to timber deck cargo on
deck.
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Prudent use of
tugs were not made during the ship's maneuver by the Master and Pilot.
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Poor ship
handling skills were displayed by the pilot in the prevailing
conditions.
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The port did not
provide timely assistance to the Master, when the report about dragging
of anchor was sent to the port.
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The vessel did
not have proper charts for the port.
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Port did not
comply with reporting requirements of maritime casualty to Maritime
Administration.
RECOMMENDATIONS/LESSONS LEARNT
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All ports should
provide basic and critical information about the port to the Masters
calling their ports through their local agents prior to vessel's arrival
with precautionary measures expected from the ship
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The port VTIMS
should play an active role in monitoring the movements of the vessels
and warn the vessels about any threat to navigation in advance
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The port
authority should provide timely response to the requirements of Masters
who are in need of assistance or in distress
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The port
authority should make available adequate number of suitable tugs to
support ships in need of assistances
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The port
authority should make sure that the vessels calling their ports is
adequately and efficiently manned and updated nautical charts and
publications for the operation area are available on board. In case of
any doubt, the matter should be reported to nearest MMD
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The port should
comply with the reporting requirements of Indian Administration with
regard to casualties taking place within their jurisdiction as per the
requirements of M.S. Act, 1958 and various notices issued from time to
time
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The Master should
comply with the requirements of charts and nautical publications as
stipulated in SOLAS Chapter V
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The Master should
ensure that a proper Master pilot exchange information does take place
as per the requirement of STCW Code A - VIII/ 2 Part 3-1(49) -
Navigation with Pilot on board.
Sd/-
(Capt. Deepak Kapoor)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech) |
