As part of its monthly Safety Flashes, IMCA notes a case where a vessel ran aground causing major hull damage.
The incident
A vessel left port and started a transit. During the first part of the voyage, the vessel was overtaking another vessel and the decision was made to pass the other vessel on their port side, between the vessel and shallow waters. A safety depth contour on the ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System) was set to 10 meters.
When the vessel passed the safety depth contour, she ran aground, resulting in major hull damage and damage to the propulsion system. There was a leak of hydraulic oil which was limited to approx. 40 litres. The vessel re-floated herself and returned immediately to port. The vessel had to be dry-docked as a result of the damage.
There could have been much more serious consequences, including becoming completely stuck aground and requiring assistance to get off; water ingress and serious flooding; worse pollution and emission to the environment, and still more damage to vessel propulsion equipment.
What went wrong?
- The settings on the ECDIS were such that critical information was not being displayed;
- The vessel’s passage plan was not approved in advance and used a route unvalidated in the ECDIS;
- The officer on watch opted to pass the vessel ahead on their port side.
Root causes identified
- The route was not validated in the ECDIS system nor verified before departure;
- Information that could and should have been displayed in ECDIS – that is, “All Dangers” – was not selected;
- The bridge crew did not properly understand safety depth contours and the implications for the vessel of crossing them.
Lessons learned
- Ensure that correct and appropriate ECDIS settings are part of voyage plan checklists;
- Update bridge personnel training on ECDIS
- Ensure deeper and fuller understanding of “safety depth contours” and the implications for vessels.
