A UK crew has been blamed for their cargoship dragging anchor and hitting two other ships earlier this year.
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said the 4,100-dwt Celtic Spirit (built 1996), operated by Charles M Willie, moved in heavy weather on the River Humber on 1 March.
It subsequently collided with the 700-dwt research and survey vessel Atlantic Explorer (built 1991) and its own 4,100-dwt sistership Celtic Warrior (built 1996), which were also at anchor.
All three sustained shell plate damage, but there were no injuries and no pollution.
MAIB found that Celtic Spirit dragged its anchor because insufficient anchor cable had been deployed for the tidal range and environmental conditions experienced.
The bridge watchkeeper did not alert Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) or nearby vessels that his own ship was moving.
The ship was unable to manoeuvre in sufficient time to remedy the situation because its engine was not on immediate readiness, and class conditions relating to engine readiness while operating with only one anchor were not followed or understood, the report added.
MAIB also said a lack of company guidance meant that there was an inconsistent approach to engine readiness on board sister vessels in the same fleet.
A collision foretold
With the second officer on the bridge in the early hours, Celtic Spirit had begun to drag anchor in a north-westerly direction.
Nine minutes later, in preparation for the watch handover, the officer looked at the radar screen and noticed that the distance to Atlantic Explorer had decreased.
He plotted the vessel’s position on the chart, which verified that it was dragging its anchor, and called the master.
He also called the engineer in his cabin and ordered him to start the main engine, and he instructed a crewman, via hand-held radio, to go forward and check the anchor cable.
Atlantic Explorer’s bridge watchkeeper called Celtic Spirit and warned: “You are dragging directly to me, your anchor is not holding, your speed is 0.9 and you are going directly to me.”
VTS called Atlantic Explorer and asked if its engines were ready. The watchkeeper advised that they were not. VTS then warned that Celtic Spirit was dragging anchor and heading towards them.
Atlantic Explorer’s watchkeeper replied: “Yes, I see. I call them already and they are really really close, I think they will hit.”
After the collision, the two ships became entangled and drifted towards a collision with Celtic Warrior.
Charles M Willie has updated the company SMS and has issued a fleet memo intended to raise standards of anchor watchkeeping and to clarify the notice required of engines in rough weather.
