The Maltese-registered container ship APL Danube grounded within the Suez Canal on April 19, 2019, whereas transiting southbound towards Jeddah. Clear climate and calm seas prevailed in the course of the passage, however a sudden sheer to starboard led to the vessel making backside contact by each bow and stern. The grounding induced vital harm to the rudder, steering gear, and propeller, requiring the ship to be towed for repairs. In line with the ultimate security investigation report issued by the Marine Security Investigation Unit (MSIU) of Malta, the instant trigger was attributed to lack of steering because of the financial institution impact.
Root Trigger Evaluation
The investigation decided that the APL Danube misplaced steering management because of the financial institution impact whereas navigating near the japanese financial institution of the Suez Canal. This hydrodynamic phenomenon, attributable to restricted water stream between the ship’s hull and the canal financial institution, generated a stress distinction that pushed the vessel’s bow away from the financial institution whereas drawing the strict towards it.
Because the vessel entered the narrowing part close to kilometre mark 133, the impact intensified, leading to a sheer to starboard. Regardless of helm and engine changes, the vessel’s proximity to the financial institution and the affect of sturdy tidal streams throughout a spring tide made restoration unattainable. Contact with the canal backside induced harm to the rudder and propeller, additional decreasing maneuverability.
Security Actions Taken
Throughout the investigation, the corporate carried out an inside overview in step with the Worldwide Security Administration (ISM) Code. Security alerts and suggestions from the grounding have been shared throughout the fleet. The corporate revised its hours of relaxation procedures to make sure that command could possibly be delegated throughout prolonged canal transits, permitting the grasp to relaxation when mandatory.
Deck officers obtained focused coaching on pilot administration, financial institution impact consciousness, and emergency maneuvering. Further emphasis was positioned on correct use of navigational tools, together with retaining ECDIS monitoring options whereas accommodating pilot show preferences.
Navigation and Bridge Workforce Administration
The security investigation discovered that the vessel’s passage plan was not absolutely tailor-made to the meant southbound transit, and a few listed publications have been irrelevant to the voyage. The deliberate route on ECDIS was deactivated on the pilot’s request, which disabled key security alarms corresponding to anti-grounding alerts. This decreased the bridge crew’s situational consciousness throughout a essential section of navigation.
Moreover, the grasp was engaged in a dialog away from the conning place on the time of the sheer, limiting his skill to observe creating circumstances. The preliminary stress between the grasp and the second canal pilot might have additionally influenced communication dynamics on the bridge, though this was not thought-about a direct explanation for the grounding.
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Supply: MSIU
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