In its latest Safety Digest, UK MAIB presents an incident where a small coastal cargo vessel ran aground in a constricted channel.
A small coastal general cargo vessel was on passage in a constricted channel. The master had sent the lookout down to the mess for breakfast and was on watch alone, preparing for the ship’s forthcoming arrival in port. The master became distracted by the need to change the bridge printer’s ink cartridge, leading to an alter course waypoint being missed that allowed the vessel to head into shallow water and run aground at the bow shortly afterwards.
The vessel refloated on the next tide and was able to manoeuvre astern and then resume its journey to port, escorted by the RNLI. The ship’s crew carried out a sounding of the vessel’s compartments and discovered seawater flooding into the forepeak, which they were able to control using a salvage pump. In dry dock, it was found that the grounding had cracked the vessel’s stem and deformed the structural frames of its bow. Around 15 tonnes of steelwork had to be replaced before the cargo ship was fit to return to service.
Lessons learned
Check: The master missed the alter course waypoint because they became distracted by the printer. The passage plan requires constant monitoring, especially when the slightest deviation is the difference between safe passage and grounding. It is crucial that the bridge team, including the master and lookout, remain vigilant to ensure safe navigation, especially in challenging areas such as constricted channels.
Teamwork: The master’s decision to allow the lookout to leave the bridge for breakfast removed an important means by which to double-check the safe passage of the ship, especially while in constricted waters or areas with high-density traffic. It is important not to let routine get in the way of safety. Posting a lookout on the bridge, particularly in challenging navigation conditions, provides additional sight and hearing to assess any changes to the operating environment and identify potential safety hazards.
