Lessons learned: Cargo damage from broken lashings in bad weather

A general cargo vessel with two cargo holds was planning to load in three ports. The Master requested dunnage and lashing material from the charterer for the last port, including 64 stoppers, 64 H-beams, and 50 D-Rings. Only the H-beams were not delivered. The charterer arranged for a supercargo to supervise loading, present at all ports except the final one.

The crew secured and lashed cargo at all three ports without a lashing plan from the charterers. Despite weather routing, the vessel encountered heavy weather in the Pacific with Beaufort 9 winds a few days into the voyage. The vessel was rolling and pitching heavily, so the Master reduced speed and adjusted the course to minimize movement.

A fire alarm was triggered in cargo hold 1, followed by dense smoke. The Master activated the sprinkler system to prevent any potential fire spread. Two hours later, the crew entered the hold with breathing apparatus and fire suits but found no fire. Instead, five layers of pipes had broken loose and shifted. After a few hours, the crew managed to relash the pipes.

The heavy weather subsided but worsened again three days later with Beaufort 8 winds. Loud noises came from the cargo area. Once again, cargo had broken loose, damaging the vessel’s structure and adjacent cargo. The crew entered the cargo hold to secure the cargo but saw that an 80m cargo unit had shifted, causing further damage. The crew failed to secure the unit. For safety, the Master abandoned the operation and deviated to the nearest port of refuge.