Experience Feedback
On 3 April 2012, the cargo vessel Carrier ranaground on the coast of North Wales. The vesselhad been loading limestone at Raynes Jetty when the weatherdeteriorated rapidly.
M/V Carrier (Photo Credit: UK MAIB Report No.08/2013)
The master decided to finish loadingand put to sea; however, strong winds and large wavesoverwhelmed the vessel while it was manoeuvring awayfrom the jetty, causing it to be driven onto the shore.
Carrier suffered substantial damage and was declared a’total constructive loss’. Approximately 33000 litres of gasoil was spilled into the sea. Some delays were causedto the shore-based rescue operation due to a lack ofserviceable search and rescue helicopters, but ultimatelythe crew were rescued from the stricken vessel withoutinjury.
The UK’s Meteorological Office had disseminated repeated warnings of gale forcewinds both on the day of the accident and the previous day. Although Carrier’smaster had this information, it was evident that he considered there to be enoughtime for him to berth and load before the weather deteriorated. Staff at RaynesJetty had also formed the impression that the wind speed would not increase untilmuch later in the evening.
However, as forecast, the wind speed increased rapidlyfrom 1820 onwards. The master was keen to load as much cargo as possible, andalthough he first decided to leave the berth at 1900, he gave the final order to ceaseloading nearly an hour later.
Raynes Jetty was a privately owned harbour, considered to be an extension of thequarry, with no statutory or competent harbour authority. Although some of the risksof marine operations at Raynes Jetty had been considered, there was no safetymanagement system of the type recommended in the Port Marine Safety Code. As a result, the marine operations at the jetty had not been adequately planned orcontrolled.
The investigation found that the terminology used in UK maritime weather forecastswas confusing to non-native mariners and shore-based staff who had not undergonemarine training.There is a significant risk that the people the forecast is designed toassist do not understand what is being reported.
For more information about the grounding of cargo ship Carrier, please read UK MAIB- Accident Report 8/213
Source: UK MAIB
