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Objectives:
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To share and
disseminate valuable information with ship-owners, ship managers,
Masters and crew of a ship regarding the importance of observing
practice of good seamanship during the operation of the vessel in port
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To guide the
Master and the crew to exercise reasonable care, and skill during the
maneuvering of ship in the approaches of ports.
NARRATIVE:
The Master of
an Indian tanker while making an approach to an Indian port in Gujarat
planned her passage to pass ahead of another anchored vessel, a tanker.
The Master intended to anchor his vessel in a safe assigned anchorage
position after passing ahead of the anchored vessel. During this
operation, he mis-judged the effects of tide and currents and noticed the
measures taken by him to counter the effects of these forces were not
adequate to avoid the development of close quarter situations with the
anchored tanker. This act on part of the Master resulted in collision with
the anchored vessel.
OBSERVATIONS:
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The Bridge
team failed to take precautions which are required by the ordinary
practice of seamen taking into account limitation of the vessels
involved and special circumstances prevailing during the maneuvering of
the vessel.
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Good
navigational watch keeping practices prescribed under the provision of
STCW / ISM Code were not adhered to.
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The primary
cause of this collision was attributed to underestimation of drift due
to tide / currents while executing the maneuver at slow speed.
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The secondary
cause of this incident was attributed to reduction of vessels headway
with the tide on her beam which forced this vessel to drift on to the
anchored vessel.
LESSONS
LEARNT:
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Masters shall
prepare comprehensive anchorage plan in accordance with SOLAS
requirement Chapter V – Safety of Navigation.
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This plan
shall be explained to the Bridge team well in advance.
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The positions
of all vessels around the intended anchorage position shall be plotted
as a part of good navigational watch keeping procedures prior to
approaching the anchorage area.
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A tenet of
good seamanship shall be exercised by the Master by passing stern of the
anchored vessel giving bold helm and engine movement to control the set
in drift of the vessel . Bold main engine movements should be used when
required to control the set/ drift or gain steering control of the
vessel.
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Substantially
enhanced drift when proceeding at slow speed due to prevailing tides /
currents should be anticipated when approaching or leaving harbors
The Directorate
being committed to safety of ships during its navigation in the approaches
of Indian ports draws the attention of shipowners, shipmanagers,
charterers and agents to casualty Circular No. 6 of 2006 (available on
DGS web site
www.dgshipping.com) which provides the guidelines to the ship master
while making an approach to Indian ports.
In the light of
above, the shipowners, ship managers are once again advised to provide
necessary guidance to their Masters in a documented form impressing upon
them the significance of exercising extreme caution during the maneuvering
of a ship congested waters.
Sd/-
(Capt. Deepak Kapoor)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General of Shipping (Tech.l). |
