Tag: accident reports

In a report published by IMCA, a rodent found its way into the emergency switchboard cabinet on board a vessel, causing a short circuit, sparks and a foul smell. The fire alarm was also sounded, with led to the emergency generator room. There was no evidence of the rodent's presence anywhere on the ship.  

IMCA informed of an unapproved repair of diver gas supply. A diver umbilical assembly was returned from a diving support vessel (DSV) to a shore-based workshop. During the demobilisation of the umbilical assembly, a repair was noticed on the diver gas supply hose. IMCA notes that repairs to a diver gas supply umbilical are not considered good practice.

In a recent IMCA report, unsecured cargo, including a 24' basket and 20 mud skips, shifted across the deck when a large wave passed the vessel. Earlier that day, the ship was working cargo, but due to bad weather conditions, the vessel ended the work. The wave was significantly larger than those forecasted.

In its latest report, IMCA describes a near-miss incident. Namely, during disconnecting lifting gear from a large piece of subsea equipment, the crew noticed that a securing pin on the load was out of position. A few minutes later, the securing pin fell out and dropped 15m onto deck. Noone was nearby where the pin landed.

On 20 November 2017, the single-handed creel boat 'Varuna' was found aground and unmanned on Eilean nan Naomh, north west of Scotland. Despite an extensive sea, land and air search, the owner was not found until 3 weeks after the accident, when his body washed ashore in Staffin Bay on the Isle of Skye.

A passenger/ro-ro cargo ferry arrived in port and berthed without incident. Its vehicle ramp was then landed and a shore ramp was lowered from an upper linkspan. Shortly afterwards, the upper linkspan shore ramp fingers dropped off the ferry and one mooring rope parted. The ship came to rest 15m forward of its original position.

UK P&I Club informs about an oil spill incident. Namely, a tanker was ready to load a petroleum product cargo at an offshore anchorage by ship to ship transfer (STS). During the operation, the cargo hose ruptured causing oil to spray on deck and overboard. A small quantity of oil was released into the sea, because of the effective response of the crew.

On 31 October 2017, the UK registered and commercially operated yacht 'CV24' ran aground on Cape Peninsula, South Africa. CV24 was abandoned and the crew was rescued uninjured. There was no pollution and the wreck was subsequently disposed of locally. UK MAIB issued an investigation report on the incident.

TAIC issued an investigation report on the sinking of the fishing vessel 'Francie' in inclement weather off Kaipara Harbour in November 2016, which killed eight people. TAIC highlighted that the eight passengers would have better chances of survival, had they wearing life-jackets in accordance with maritime safety rules. 

IMCA informed of an incident when a trainee Electrical Engineer drank from a mineral water bottle in the engine room workshop, which contained thinners rather than water. ETO realized that it was thinners and spat out most of the contents. He then drank salt water to induce vomiting in order to get any thinner out of his body.