Completed PE summary

George Lyras

Category Merchant
Registered Owner & Manager: Paralos M. Paralos Maritime Corporat
Flag: Greece
Type: Dry Cargo/Bulk Carrier
Built: 1984
Classification society: Lloyds Register
Construction: Steel
Length overall: 192
Gross tonnage: 22322.00
Date & Time 15/11/05 00:40
Location of incident: Tilbury 5129.7N 00028.5E
Incident Type: Collision
Injuries/ fatalities: None
Damage/ Pollution: Material Damage/Pollution caused

Synopsis

This bulk carrier collided with five unlit barges at night while outbound on the River Thames. The barges were drifting in the channel after their mooring had parted. A shackle in the mooring system had failed due to twisting which occurred after a swivel piece had been jammed but a wire/rope. The drifting barges were not noticed on the ship's radar or by VTS.

Action taken:

To prevent a similar accident occurring in the future - the ship owner was advised to:

  • Ensure that an adequate lookout is maintained at all times, including proper monitoring of radars.

  • Ensure that the general alarm is sounded in similar circumstances.

- the port authority was advised to:

  • Ensure that customers using its moorings utilise appropriate securing methods.

  • Ensure that VTS screens are adequately monitored at all times.

- the barge operating company was advised to:

  • Ensure its employees use appropriate securing methods when tying up moorings.

  • Ensure that its safety management system includes lessons learned from this and previous accidents involving moorings.