Investigation Report
Girting and capsize of tug Biter with the loss of two lives while assisting passenger vessel Hebridean Princess
Girting and capsize of tug Biter with the loss of two lives while assisting passenger vessel Hebridean Princess
- MAIB
- Investigation Report
- Marine OperationsVessel and Mooring
- DrowningHuman factorsLoss of vessel stabilityVessel flooding and foundering
- Towing
- Navigation and positioning equipment
- Competence and trainingFlood containment and watertight integrityRisk assessmentSafety communication
- Marine industry
- Port and quaysideVessel
Summary
Investigation of Biter’s fatal girting and capsize while assisting Hebridean Princess on the River Clyde. It examines towing speed, bridle loading, gob-rope securing, watertight integrity, operational exchanges and training. The precise reason for gob-rope rendering remained unresolved; post-salvage testing found the towing-hook release mechanism functional.
Classifications: Drowning; man overboard; person overboard.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Loss of vessel stability; capsize; vessel stability.
Classifications: Vessel flooding and foundering; water ingress.
Classifications: Towing; towage.
Classifications: Navigation and positioning equipment; ECDIS; AIS; chart plotters.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Flood containment and watertight integrity.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Themes: marine operations, vessel and mooring.