ARCO DEE

scrapped

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Course/Position

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arrived Ghent Scrapyard

arrived Ghent Scrapyard 10.09.20 https://www.facebook.com/Ship-Hunters-370389103438147/photos/pcb.1035198830290501/1035198653623852/

Careless skippers endagenered port entry of dredger

The "Arco Dee" aborted its entry into Littlehampton Harbour on Aug 3, 2019, due to 'inconsiderate seamanship' from smaller vessels. She had dredged 1,200 tons sand off the coast. The Littlehampton Harbour Board at 2 p.m. closed the harbour so the dredger could enter at high tide - the safest time to do it. At 2 p.m., the harbour master Billy Johnson boarded the "Arco Dee" and made the standard safety broadcasts over VHF Radio to announce the temporary closure of the harbour. The planned entry at 2.15 p.m. was delayed by 'a number of vessels still attempting to enter or depart the harbour ahead of the "Arco Dee", deliberately evading the efforts of harbour staff' who had asked all vessels to return to their moorings. One sailing yacht made a late entry ahead of the vessel at a slower speed. Despite direct attempts to contact it on different radio channels, and the Arco Dee's captain sounding ten blasts on its horn, the yacht did not adjust its course. With the risk of collision imminent and there being a 'significant danger to life', the "Arco Dee" made a hard turn to the left and a tight figure of eight turn to line up for a second entry. The manoeuvre was aborted at 2.33 p.m. Poor decisions made by a minority of vessel skippers risked a potentially very serious incident and made the port closure last twice as long as normal. Littlehampton Harbour Board thanked the majority of vessel skippers to co-operated, kept themselves informed by VHF radio and as a result did not put themselves or any other vessels at risk. ​ A number of small vessel skippers have been formally cautioned by the harbour master and further enforcement action is currently pending in some cases. The entrance is 31 metres wide at its narrowest point, has a strong tidal stream that pushes boats sideways on approach and is shallow enough that many big ships only have 50 cm clearance above the seabed. The confusion meant that other boats took the opportunity to enter or exit the harbour, delaying this attempt. But despite this, the Arco Dee entered the harbour safely at 2.50pm, 55 minutes after high water, and was safely moored on its berth by 3.15pm. Littlehampton Harbour Board, as a statutory harbour authority has the power to prosecute for breaches of regulations or special orders by staff. A person who fails to comply could go to court and be fined up to £2,500, the harbour board said.

Arco Dee hit harbour wall

The "Arco Dee" allided with the river wall at Littlehampton’s harbour on May 17, 2011, after she lost control due to strong winds and was blown off course as she entered the harbour narrows at Arun Parade. The superstructure scraped against the harbour wall, causing minor damage to both the ship and the concrete wall and handrail. Littlehampton Harbour Board has sent a report on the incident to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. The ship, which was entering the harbour for routine maintenance, suffered minor damage to the hull. No one was injured. The ship then passed alongside Mariner’s Quay and manoeuvred sideways into the centre of the channel before eventually berthing at Railway Wharf, without further incident. Report with photo: http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/ship_hits_littlehampton_harbour_wall_1_2697360