While encountered heavy weather at sea
Two similar accidents happened to two Hong Kong registered log carriers within shortinterval and caused seven crewmembers missing. In the accidents, the two log carriers wereunderway from Papua New Guinea to Jingjiang, China with fully laden logs.
The first logcarrier capsized under gusty wind, 6 crewmembers were missing. The second log carrierlisted heavily under heavy weather caused by typhoon and the master fell into sea anddisappeared during the abandon ship operation.
The Hong Kong Marine Department has issued information note to draw the attention ofShipowners, Ship Managers, Ship Operators, Masters, Officers and Crew to the lessons learntfrom these accidents.
The incident
In the first accident, a log carrier sailed from Papua New Guinea to Jingjiang, Chinawith fully laden logs in holds and on deck. The vessel encountered gusty wind of over 60 knotsand boisterous seas. She heeled heavily to port side and capsized within 20 minutes.Subsequently, the vessel sank. 11 crew members were able to board a lifeboat and a liferaft.They were rescued two days later, whereas the other 6 crew members were missing in theaccident.
In the second incident, another log carrier also sailed from Papua New Guinea toJingjiang, China with fully laden logs in holds and on deck. The vessel encountered heavyweather caused by typhoon. Sea water entered into No.1 cargo hold of the vessel throughbroken tarpaulins on hatch covers. The vessel heeled to starboard side heavily and the masterordered abandon ship. However, he fell into sea and was missing during the abandon shipoperation.
The investigation into these incidents revealed that the main contributing factors were:
- The log carriers encountered strong wind and boisterous seas;
- The masters of both log carriers did not ensure the vessels’ stability in the deckcargo loading condition were safe prior to and during the voyages;
- Sea water accumulated in cargo hold through damaged tarpaulin on hatch covers,free surface effect was created and weakened the stability under heavy weather;
- The masters of the vessels did not ensure all lifesaving appliances on board werein working order and/or ready for immediate use at all time during the voyage;and
- The shore management company could not be contacted by the master inemergency and the safety alertness of the shore management was low (there wasno immediate effective actions taken to ensure safety and the whereabouts of thevessel after losing regular contact with the ship).
Lessons Learnt
The management company of log carrier should ensure that procedures for safeoperation of log carrier are complied with. Particular attentions should be drawn to thefollowing area
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Source: Hong Kong Marine Department