A faulty gearbox overhaul and master error are to blame for a passenger ferry hitting a quay a year ago on Norwegian archipelago Svalbard, according to a report.
The 121-passenger catamaran Aurora Explorer (built 1999) allided with the Barentsburg landing spot on 15 July 2018 as the master reversed the ferry to correct a vibrating driveshaft caused by an improperly set propeller pitch.
"The port pitch was set too high after the previous gearbox overhaul," the 21-page Norway Accident Investigation Report said.
"During the gearbox overhaul early in 2018, the supplier of the manoeuvring system was not contacted, in order to guarantee that the pitch and load were optimally adjusted."
As a result, the master may have forgotten to re-set the propeller system to combinator mode, which automatically finds proper propeller pitch during docking manoeuvres.
"The vessel swung uncontrollably to starboard so that it collided with the fenders on the quay," the report said.
The ship, which sustained only minor damage above the waterline, did not take on any water due to the accident or emit any pollutants into the sea.
Passengers injured
As a result of the allision, many passengers standing on the open deck to look at beluga whales were thrown about as the vessel hit and then bounced back from the quay.
In total, 37 passengers and a crew member received injuries of varying degrees to the extent that some had to be flown by helicopter to a local hospital, the report said.
"The crew immediately focused on establishing the extent of the damages and injuries and assisting the passengers."
Maritime services provider Shipping.fo oversees the ship's safety management.
Safety measures implemented
Norwegian authorities require coverage of the manouevre console's constant RPM buttons to prevent erroneous movement, according to the report.
Also, the Arctic Explorer's captain may require that passengers be seated before and during docking, as indicated by visible signage.
Also, a Brunvoll technician adjusted the propeller's pitch back to the system supplier's recommendations.
"The cause was found to be human error and we have subsequently, in collaboration with the shipping company, changed the set-up of the manoeuvring system so that the error cannot recur," Arctic Explorer said in the report.
