Collision between tug and its tow on January 2013 – Report No 10/2014
UK Marine Accident Investigation Brach (MAIB) has issued report No.10/2014 on the collision between tug CHRISTOS XXII and its tow.
According to the reportthe tug Christos XXII was struck by her tow, the former fisheries protection vessel Emsstrom, while anchoring off Hopes Nose, Tor Bay, England at20:58 on 13 January 2013.Emsstrom had developed a list while under tow from Emden, Germany, to Aliaga, Turkey and Christos XXIIs master was anchoring to enable him to investigate the cause of this list. Christos XXII was holed below the waterline in way of its engine room and required significant assistance to control the subsequent flooding.
The master was not familiar with operating in tidal waters and had not taken account of the tidal conditions when anchoring. He anchored Christos XXII downtide of Emsstrom, leading to it being carried by the tide into the stationary Christos XXII.
Emsstrom sank at 1326 the following day, and its loss was under criminal investigation by European authorities.
When the master ordered the release of Christos XXIIs port anchor, the tug was downtide of Emsstrom. The anchoring had the effect of pivoting Christos XXII to port, stopping it in the water, side-on to the tide and in the path of Emsstrom, which maintained its momentum, leading to the collision.
| Conclusions |
| The accident was a result of the masters lack of appreciation of the dangers resulting from tidal effects on the tow when anchoring. This was probably due to his inexperience in anchoring in tidal waters and his focus on establishing the cause of the list on Emsstrom. Had he developed a plan in conjunction with senior, experienced staff from the company, it is likely that the tidal conditions would have been taken into account. |
More details may be found by reading the UK MAIB Investigation Report
