Case study - 1. Non-contact damage

Whilst proceeding inbound through a river approach to a major European port a 32,000 dwt container vessel passed a small chemical tanker which was alongside a riverside berth discharging her cargo.

The container vessel was proceeding at manoeuvring full ahead up until a position approximately one quarter of a mile from the moored tanker when the pilot ordered the engine to be slowed to half ahead. The tide was ebbing at about 1 ½ knots. It was daylight and the visibility was good.

As the container vessel started to get closer to the tanker the third mate, who was the OOW of the bridge, reported to the pilot that the mooring lines on the tanker seemed to be hanging loose. On verifying this through binoculars the pilot ordered the engine to be put to dead slow ahead. The estimated speed on passing the tanker was 5 knots through the water at a distance of about 150 metres. The 3^rd mate and master of the container vessel continued to observe the tanker after it had been passed and saw the tanker surge along the berth, metallic noises were heard and a lot of activity could be seen on board.

The pilot was advised who called up theVTS station and reported the incident to them. An entry was made in the deck log book which was countersigned by the pilot. The following morning a lawyer presented himself on board with an arrest order against the ship. He claimed to be acting for the tanker who was alleging that the container vessel was proceeding at excessive speed, without taking due care and attention and, as a consequence, the wake of the vessel caused the tanker to surge along the quayside, breaking the mooring ropes, causing serious damage to the ship gangway, fracturing a discharging pipeline and causing a spillage of chemical cargo.

1. Answer the questions.

1. What was the position of the small chemical tanker?

2. What was the course of the container vessel?

3. What were the weather conditions?

4. Why did the pilot order the engine to be slowed to half ahead?

5. Did the container vessel proceed at a safe speed?

6. What were the actions of the pilot?

7. What did the 3^rd mate see on the tanker?

8. What was the reason for an arrest order against the ship?

9. What was the subject of the claim?

10. What were the consequences of the container’s passage?

11. Was the lawyer’s claim justified? What did he accuse the vessel of?

2. Explain the following terms.

1. To surge along the berth ______________________________________________________

2. Ebbing tide________________________________________________________________

3. To be hanging loose_________________________________________________________

4. Mooring line_______________________________________________________________

5. Excessive speed____________________________________________________________

6. The wake of the vessel_______________________________________________________

3. Compose a claim on behalf of the master of the tanker. Describe:

1) the situation and actions of both vessels; 2) the causes of the damage.

Impose responsibility on the container vessel.

4. Complete an incident report (see annex) including the following items.

1. Description of the situation;

2. Direct causes, root causes of the incident;

3. Remedial actions and recommendations.