Safety Flash
Loss of tow and subsequent foundering of two vessels
Loss of tow and subsequent foundering of two vessels
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 29/17
- Management of ChangeMarine OperationsStructural and Asset IntegrityVessel and Mooring
- Loss of vessel stabilityRisk managementStructural and asset integrityVessel flooding and foundering
- Towing
- Risk assessment
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
This safety flash summarises the foundering of two vessels towed side by side by Maersk Battler. Failed fenders allowed damaging interaction, followed by water ingress, capsizing and sinking. The investigation linked technical and organisational circumstances and found that risk mitigation inadequately addressed interactions between hazards.
Classifications: Loss of vessel stability; capsize; vessel stability.
Classifications: Risk management; risk evaluation.
Classifications: Structural and asset integrity; asset integrity; structural integrity.
Classifications: Vessel flooding and foundering; water ingress.
Classifications: Towing; towage.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
The Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board (DMAIB) published a Marine accident report on Maersk Battler’s loss of tow and the foundering of Maersk Searcher and Maersk Shipper in the Bay of Biscay on the night between 21 and 22 December 2016.
IMCA SF 29/17. Themes: management of change, marine operations, structural and asset integrity, vessel and mooring.