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Report: Crew compacency may have contributed to container loss

In a report, the UK MAIB warned that crew complacency may have played a role in a container loss from the 'Francisca' off the Orkney Islands on October 31, 2020. The feeder was under way off Duncansby Head in the North Sea amid a heavy storm which was passing through the region, and encountered high waves. While pitching into the swells, the 'Francisca' shipped water over the bulwarks, and containers on deck were hit by the seas. This caused a stack collapse, and 34 containers were lost over the side. All but one were empty, and only a small amount of cargo washed ashore. The ship and its crew were unharmed and were able to head for sheltered waters. According to MAIB's initial assessment, the 'Francisca' lost some speed and heading control when she hit each wave, exposing the deck cargo to green seas. This was enough to overload the lashings and topple the boxes. The agency suggested that the ship's crew may have become accustomed to the routine foul weather on the route between Iceland and the Netherlands, and they may not have appreciated the risk of the situation their ship was in. In addition, corrosion of the cargo lashing arrangements and the absence of a breakwater at the bow may have contributed to the loss, the MAIB said.

Lost cargo no longer considered a hazard

After the loss of 33 containers from the 'Francisca', many remained unaccounted for in the Pentland Firth. The missing items were no longer considered to be a potential hazard to shipping. Two of the 40ft units were washed ashore on the south of Hoy in Orkney. Some of the lost boxes contained goods including medical supplies and nicotine patches. The 'Francisca' berthed at the Uniport Terminal in Rotterdam on Nov 3 at 11 p.m.

Ship resumed voyage after container loss

The 'Francisca' which has has lost 33 containers in the North Sea along the Scottish coast on Oct 31, has resmued the voyage to Rotterdam with an ETA as of Nov 3. 32 of the 33 containers were empty. One of the containers was loaded with medical devices or parts.A number of them have already been recovered,, but the weather in the area was still bad. The insurer was taking this further with the British authorities. After the cargo loss, the 'Francisca' had sailed back and forth along the coast accompanied by a tug for the rest of the weekend. The crew checked whether more containers were in danger of falling off the ship which was not the case.