The UK MAIB has issued a report on the investigation into the girting and capsize of the mooring launch Asterix at Fawley Marine Terminal, Southampton, UK on 30 March 2015 .
According to the MAIB investigation the mooring launch Asterix girted and capsized while assisting the small chemical tanker Donizetti to manoeuvre from berth 6 at Fawley Marine Terminal, Southampton, UK. Asterix’s deckhand escaped from the upturned hull and was rescued promptly. However, the coxswain was trapped inside the partially flooded wheelhouse for more than an hour before the launch began to roll upright, when he was sighted and rescued. Asterix subsequently sank and, despite successful salvage, was later declared a constructive total loss. Both the coxswain and the deckhand were treated for shock and hypothermia but released from hospital within hours of the accident. There was neither material damage nor injury to personnel on Donizetti.
The MAIB investigation established that:
• Asterix’s coxswain was not advised that Donizetti was about to come ahead, and as the tanker increased speed he was unable to manoeuvre the mooring launch to run
alongside it.
• Donizetti’s master, the pilot and Asterix’s coxswain did not share a common, detailed understanding of the plan, and once the operation commenced opportunities were
missed for key information to be exchanged.
• Solent Towage Ltd’s risk assessments, procedural instructions and guidance, and inhouse training relating to launch towing operations lacked the necessary detail to inform launch crews of the appropriate use of gog ropes as mitigation against girting.
• The launch crews did not drill sufficiently in the use of the manually operated towing hook emergency release under load conditions, so they were ill-prepared to apply the increased force required to operate the system when it was under tension.
Although the intent of The Merchant Shipping (Boatmasters’ Qualifications, Crew and Hours of Work) Regulations 2015 is for masters engaged in towing operations to have a knowledge of the danger of girting and how to prevent it, anomalies currently exist in respect of towage endorsement qualification requirements. Until such time as these anomalies may be rectified, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been recommended to inform tug operators and port authorities of the importance of ensuring that masters engaged in towing operations have the necessary knowledge and skills.
Further recommendations have been made to Associated British Ports Southampton with regard to reviewing its assessment of towage operations within the port, and to the National Workboat Association with regard to taking account of the findings of this investigation report in its ongoing development of guidance on towing operations.
Further information may be found by reading the investigation report below.
Source: UKMAIB
