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MAIB report into grounding incident published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published crounding and recovery of the 'Thea II' and the tug 'Svituer Jospehine' in the approaches to the Humber Estuary. The MAIB saaid in its report that the grounding and recovery of the container vessel and the tug in storm force conditions took place on the evening of Dec 15, 2018. While approaching the Humber pilot station the container feeder vesselsuffered an engine failure and had to anchor to await tugs to tow it into harbour. In storm force conditions, the container vessel dragged its anchor towards the Binks Shoal. Unfortunately, both the 'Thea II' and the tug ran aground before it could be towed clear. Later that night both vessels refloated with the tide. The 'Svitzer Josephine' was able to return to harbour under its own power. After some delays while the ship managers tried to negotiate contractual terms with another tug operator, the 'Thea II' was towed clear of the bank and was eventually towed into Hull two days later. There were no injuries and no pollution. The 'Thea II' dragged its anchor because sufficient chain and/or the second anchor had not been used. The 'Svitzer Josephine' grounded because its master, who was focused on securing the towline to the stricken container vessel and did not have a navigational plan to keep his vessel safe, became disorientated. The delays in the 'Thea II' securing a tow after refloating were due to the manager’s lack of awareness of their vessel’s situation. They eventually approved a tow when the UK Secretary of States representative (SOSREP) threatened to issue direction.RecommendationsA recommendation (2020/128) has been made to the container ship managers to review the company’s emergency response organisation.

Tug ran aground during salvage work

Off the East Yorkshire coast, the container m/v"Thea II", enroute from Ijmuiden to Hull with a crew of 11 on board, suffered a blackout and began to drag anchor before running aground in position 53 34.61 N, 000 09.22 E at the Binks off Spurn Point on Dec 15, 2018, at 6-46 p.m. The vessel initially refused assistance of tugs. The tugs Svitzer Josephine" and "Svitzer Castle" were iniitally deployed to refloat the ship and tow it to safety. But the "Svitzer Josephine" with its crew of three ran aground during the operation. The tugs "Irishman" and "Yeoman" refloated the "Thea II" on Dec 16 at 1.30 a.m. The "Scitzer Josephine" later was refloated and returned to Immingham docks under its own power, while the second tug "Svitzer Castle" remained standing by. The Humber RNLI boat provided cover. The "Yeoman" lost propulsion during the towage and had to be withdrawn. South-easterly winds of 52 knots were recorded in the area. Also the Coastguard rescue helicopter based at Humberside was sent to assist but later stood down. The "Thea II", once refloated, was taken under tow to the Humber deep water anchorage by the two tugs "Pullman" and "Irishman". The tug "Yeoman" was assisted back to Hull by the "Irishman". The "Thea II" was to be towed to the Hull King George Docks. ETA Dec 17, 12.30 p.m.