An investigation into the grounding of the 47,427-gross-ton Horizon (built 1990) outside Stavanger in Norway in July last year has found that the ship had swung its bow out too early after departing the berth
According to a report by Transport Malta, where the ship was registered, the navigational blunder came despite the fact the bridge was crewed in excess of the required numbers, with an outgoing and incoming master ready to swap positions, and a pilot.
All of the team were familiar with the dangers of the Plentinggrunnen Shoal where the ship grounded, apart from the officer who was to carry out the turning.
The shoal was clearly marked on maps as a “no go area” and the deck officers had also included it in the “guidance notes for departure” that had been signed off by the master.
According to Transport Malta, the bow was swung out to a distance of 30 metres from the shoal, which actually extended out a further 60 to 70 metres.
Although the officer in charge of the manoeuvre told the bridge he was planning to avoid the shoal at 30 metres, no one alerted him to the dangers. It later emerged he may not have seen the guidance.
“The notes in the guideline [for departure] stated that the vessel should have come astern by about 100 metres before swinging the bow to port,” Transport Malta said.
“It has been observed that the signature of the crew member carrying out the manoeuvre was not on the document and, therefore, it was not excluded that he may have neither been aware of this requirement nor did anybody draw his attention during the briefing when he said that he was intending to clear the spar mark when it was at a distance of 30 metres.”
The ship could not be refloated under its own power and had to be towed off the shoal.
Transport Malta said there had been a failure of communication on the bridge. It has told the Horizon’s manager, Pullmantur Ship Management, to “better understand the dynamics of bridge team members and address any identified issues".
