The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator published its investigation report into the mooring failure of Valaris DS-4 at Hunterston Jetty on the Clyde Estuary, Scotland during storm force winds on 2 February 2021.
The incident
Based on the Met Office inshore weather forecast issued at 0001 UTC on 2 February 2021, the forecast for the next 24 hours was for winds from the east to southeast between Beaufort Force 5-7 (17-33 kn) with periods of Beaufort Force 8 (34-40 kn). Forecasts issued later in the day were for easterly winds of similar force.
Based on VALARIS DS-4’s Noon Report for 2 February 2021, the observed winds were from the northeast at 25 kn with gusts between 45-53 kn. It was reported that the mooring lines and gangway were being checked due to the high gusts and that the drill ship was being prepared for the upcoming days of forecast high winds coming off the shore.
ENSCO DS-8’s Noon Report indicated that winds from the east at 30-35 kn with gusts of 40-50 kn had been recorded. It was also reported that the mooring lines were being adjusted as necessary and that diesel generators Nos. 3 and 4 were being preheated.
Based on the drill ships’ logs, the wind speed increased throughout the day. At 1600, VALARIS DS-4 reported northeast winds of 50 kn. The storm force winds continued, and at 1830, it was reported that the winds were 55 kn.
By 1720, ENSCO DS-8’s diesel generator No. 3 had been started and the drill ship’s power had been swapped from the portable deck generator.
At 1845, VALARIS DS-4’s Master, C/E, and ASD on duty reported hearing a noise that they thought sounded like the anchor chain. It was reported that the wind speed was about 70 kn.47 When the Master and ASD went on deck to investigate, they observed that several of the forward mooring lines had parted, and that the drill ship was moving away from the jetty.
VALARIS DS-4’s C/E went to the Engine Room to start a diesel generator and to prepare thruster No. 5.
Based on AIS information, by about 1915, all of the drill ship’s forward mooring lines had parted. Within the next 2-3 minutes, the remaining mooring lines had parted. The drill ship was blown off the jetty and started drifting to the southwest at about 2 kn.
About when VALARIS DS-4 started drifting away from the jetty, the Master made an announcement on the drill ship’s PA system directing all crewmembers to muster on the Bridge. The C/E left the Engine Room and went to the Bridge.
It was reported that the diesel generator the C/E had started stopped running a short time after he left the Engine Room.
At 1915, the Master of VALARIS DS-4 broadcast a MAYDAY by VHF.
Based on AIS information, at about 1923, the anchor held. By this time, VALARIS DS-4 had drifted approximately halfway across the channel between the jetty and Great Cumbrae Island, which was about 400 m to the west.
Analysis
VALARIS DS-4 lost its moorings and was blown off the jetty when the logged wind was from the northeast at 55 kn. There are some indications that the speed may have actually been higher when the mooring lines started to part. All the drill ship’s mooring lines had parted within 30 minutes after the Master and other crewmembers reported hearing what they thought was the anchor chain at 1845 on 2 February 2021. The vessel drifted halfway across the channel between the jetty and Great Cumbrae Island before the anchor reset. The fact the anchor held likely prevented the drill ship from going aground on Great Cumbrae Island.
The C/E on board VALARIS DS-4 had started a diesel generator sometime after the noise, thought to be the anchor chain, was heard. He had not been able to shift power from the portable generator to the diesel generator and then place one or more of the drill ship’s thrusters online before the drill ship was blown off the jetty or while it was drifting across the channel.
ENSCO DS-8’s moorings held the drill ship to the jetty without any lines parting or assistance from the time that VALARIS DS-4 mooring line started parting until a tug arrived and started pushing the drill ship against the jetty at 2040 on 2 February 2021. One of the drill ship’s diesel generators had been started and the drill ship’s power shifted from the portable deck generator by 1720 on 3 February 2021, and by noon on 4 February 2021, three of the drill ship’s thrusters were running.
It cannot be determined whether VALARIS DS-4 would have remained alongside the jetty if the crewmembers could have placed two thrusters online or if tugs had been pushing the drill ship alongside before 1845 on 2 February 2021.
It also cannot be determined whether ENSCO DS-8’s mooring lines would have kept the drill ship alongside the jetty without the use of thrusters or the assistance of the tugs pushing on the drill ship until the period of high winds from the northeast to east had abated by 6 February 2021.
Conclusions
Causal factors that contributed to this marine incident include:
- The inability of VALARIS DS-4’s crewmembers to bring the thrusters online in time to prevent the mooring lines from being overloaded by the storm force winds from the northeast; and
- The Master of VALARIS DS-4 did not request tug assistance when the weather forecast for storm force north easterly winds was received on the afternoon of 2 February 2021.
Additional causal factors that may have contributed to this marine incident include:
- Inadequate coordination between Joulon and COL throughout the planning process for the lay-up of VALARIS DS-4 and ENSCO DS-8 at Hunterston Jetty;
- Inadequate identification and consideration of local conditions, including the higher than forecast northeasterly and easterly winds, winter temperatures, and the time required for tugs to arrive after being requested, as part of Joulon’s risk assessment for berthing the drill ships alongside at Hunterston Jetty;
- Inadequate identification of the drill ships’ power requirements during Joulon’s and Noah’s planning for the lay-up of VALARIS DS-4 and ENSCO DS-8 to ensure that a sufficient number of diesel generators and thrusters would be available if needed during a period of high winds or an emergency situation;
- The apparent deviation from the drill ships’ mooring plans when VALARIS DS-4 and ENSCO DS-8 were moored after being shifted along the jetty in late January 2021;
- The lack of third-party verification that VALARIS DS-4 and ENSCO DS-8 were moored in accordance with the drill ships’ mooring plans;
- With the exception of the drill ships’ mooring plans, the lack of third-party assurance of Joulon’s and Noah’s planning and execution of the lay-up of VALARIS DS-4 and ENSCO DS-8 at Hunterston Jetty;
- The lack of comprehensive flag State regulations intended to ensure the safety and security of laid-up vessels;
- The lack of flag State requirements for Republic of the Marshall Islands-registered vessels that are in lay-up to undergo inspections or other forms of oversight to verify they do not pose a safety or security hazard;
- The absence of port State regulations intended to ensure the safety and security of ships laid-up in ports and harbors in the United Kingdom.
Actions or events that reduced the adverse consequences of this marine incident include:
- That VALARIS DS-4’s and ENSCO DS-8’s anchors had been pre-deployed when the drill ships were berthed at Hunterston Jetty and that VALARIS DS-4’s anchor was reset and held the drill ship in mid-channel after being blown off the jetty following the loss of moorings; and
- The arrival of tugs to hold ENSCO DS-8 alongside the berth.
EXPLORE MORE AT MARSHALL ISLANDS’ REPORT ON VALARIS DS4
