Mars Reports 2015
The Nautical Institute has issued a Mars Report regarding anchorage checking while preparing to depart.
While preparing to depart anchorage and heaving the port anchor it was discovered that the end shackle pin was protruding from its normal position. The anchor wash was shut off to get a better view of the end shackle arrangement, and it was confirmed that the anchor was supported only by a small portion of the end shackle pin. The Master and Pilot decided to return to the anchorage area and lower the starboard anchor while awaiting further investigation. A spare end shackle and tapered pin was located onboard with certificate. The next day, a tug and barge came alongside and the vessel’s crew met with the foreman of the barge to determine a plan to replace the end shackle. A risk assessment and toolbox meeting was conducted and the job undertaken. A statement including pictures regarding the end shackle replacement was sent to Class.
The company investigation found that it was most likely that the lead seal of the tapered pin had worked itself loose and went missing. The pin securing the shackle bolt was then able to work itself loose.
Although the company’s managed vessels had a procedure in their planned maintenance system for checking the integrity of the anchor joining shackle tapered screw and seal, it did not include any direction as to what the check should include or why it was required. Nonetheless, this job had been carried out annually without any discrepancies noted.
The practice developed onboard provided for sighting the anchor and joining shackle from the main deck. However, given this incident, the practice was deemed insufficient to meet the requirement. In order to accurately check the security of the lead seal an up close physical inspection would need to be arranged. Company procedures were changed accordingly.
Source and Image Credit: Nautical Institute
|
The Mariners’ Alerting and Reporting Scheme (MARS) is primarily a confidential reporting system run by The Nautical Institute to allow full reporting of accidents (and near misses) without fear of identification or litigation. As a free service to the industry, MARS reports also regularly comprise alerts condensed from official industry sources, so that issues resulting from recent incidents can be efficiently relayed to the mariner on board. With access to the internet from vessels becoming more affordable, the MARS database is a valuable risk assessment, work planning, loss prevention tool and training aid for crew and management. MARS reports are held in a publicly-accessible database and can be accessed by clicking on the link below: Contact the Editor of MARS at[email protected] |
