In its latest released casebook of marine casualties, Swedish Club focuses on a bulk carrier grounding due to heavy weather conditions.
The case
It was an autumn night, and strong winds of Beaufort scale 10 hit a handysize bulk carrier. The vessel was in ballast condition and sailing through an archipelago.
Difficulty in maintaining course
The Third Officer, acting as OOW, and a helmsman were on the bridge. The vessel was in hand steering mode and was only making 2 knots over the ground.
It was difficult to maintain course and the wind was blowing in on the port bow. The helmsman had put the rudder hard to port but the vessel began to alter to starboard.
The OOW called the Master and informed him that it was difficult to maintain course. The vessel was between two islands, which made the winds even stronger as the islands were creating a wind tunnel.
The Master came up on the bridge and ordered the OOW to go to the emergency steering room. The vessel was classed to have the engine control room constantly manned.
The Master called the duty engineer and asked for the engine controls to be transferred to the bridge. When transferring the engine controls the engine had to be put on standby.
Engine controls transferred to the bridge
The Master made an announcement on the PA system and asked all crew to come to the bridge. The Chief Officer was told to prepare the anchors.
The OOW was now in the steering gear room and confirmed that the rudder was hard to port.
Impossible to enter main deck
The Chief Officer informed the Master that it was impossible to enter the main deck as large waves were washing over the deck.
The duty engineer called the Master and informed him that the bridge now had the engine controls. However, the vessel had drifted very close to an island during the engine transfer. Before the Master managed to increase the engine speed the vessel hit rocks.
Lessons learned
- In heavy weather it is important to reduce speed, but this can only be done if l the steering can be maintained. To put the engines on standby to transfer the control to the bridge was a poor decision, as the vessel was then drifting between the islands in heavy weather. If the Master wanted the bridge to have the engine controls, it would have been safer to shift the controls when the vessel was in open water and not battling heavy weather.
- The vessel was in ballast condition and if heavy weather is anticipated the vessel should be ballasted in such a way to increase the draft and reduce the wind area.
- The bridge team was not prepared for the heavy weather and did not amend the route. It would have been possible to remain in open waters and not pass between the islands.
- Why the Master sent the OOW to the steering gear room is unclear. It seems that the Master did not trust the rudder indicator and wanted to confirm the angle.
During heavy weather see to it all ballast tank is full of ballast water. Deviate course if necessary. Hand steering (correct) switch in double steering mode. Main Engine is ready to reduce speed. Duty Engr stand by in main engine control room. Master at the bridge. Duty deck officer check and plot vessel position regularly basis. Observe weather condition and watch weather report. All movable thing or cargo must be secured. Continue to carry out fire patrol and safety rounds at the end of the watch of the duty officer/engr and duty ratings. Etc…