On the morning of 17 January 2015, the special purpose ship RED7 ALLIANCE, sailing under the flag of the Bahamas, arrived at the locks in Brunsbüttel to transit the Kiel Canal during her voyage from Great Yarmouth (GB) to Mukran (D).
Apart from the pilot, the master and the second officer were on the bridge for the approach manoeuvre when Neue Südschleuse (new south lock) became available at shortly after 09001 . Just after the fore spring and stern line had been placed over the quayside bollards, it was a case of finally bringing the RED7 ALLIANCE to a halt. Instead, she continuously accelerated and despite all measures to prevent a collision, rammed the closed lock gate with such velocity at 0942 that exiting again under her own steam was impossible.
Assisted by the tug BUGSIER 21, she was finally hauled out of the lock sternwards and, supported by a second tug, the WAL, towed through Neue Nordschleuse (new north lock) into the inland waterway port at Brunsbüttel. There was extensive damage to both her bow and the lock gate.
Nevertheless, there was no environmental pollution and nobody came to physical harm.
BSU accident report reveals that the accident was caused by an error in operating the starboard propulsion since the master assumed that this azipod already operated in manual mode.
If he had been aware that this unit operated in the automatic pilot mode he should not have turned the gondola but instead only switched the pitch on “astern” to achieve a stop effect. It should be noted that in addition to special training for these propulsion units, the ship’s command also has extensive experience with this ship. The manufacturer was requested to check whether the avoidance of such operator errors is technically feasible.
The period of time between the sternward manoeuvre being initiated and the collision with the lock gate was very short. A subsequent correction of the operator error would not have prevented the collision. The accident would not have happened if the propulsion unit controls were operated, having regard to the different operating modes (auto mode and manual mode).
Moreover, it would have been helpful if the technical equipment had indicated the operator error or possibly even prevented it.
Learn more details by clicking at the report
Source: BSU
