ERIN WOOD

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Ships collided after tanker skipper went for a pee in the sea

A tanker almost sank – after its hapless captain took a leak over the side instead of watching for other vessels. The skipper was caught short while on lookout duty and left his station on the bridge to spend a penny over the stern, according to a Marine Accident Investigation Branch report. His inattention almost cost the lives of him, his two crewmen and deckhand. Just minutes later his vessel was rammed by a container ship four times its size. The impact pushed the Erin Wood sideways through the water and over on to its side. And watertight doors were left open so the sea poured inside, flooding the bridge, engine room and accommodation. For 15 terrifying seconds the ship looked like it might capsize. But it somehow broke free from the bulbous bow of the cargo ship Darjoa and rolled back up, the report reveals. The captain found himself clinging to the roof of the bridge. One of the crew – who had been completely submerged below deck – was washed outside when the floodwater rushed back through the open door. Amazingly, he grabbed the top edge of the bulwark to prevent himself being swept completely overboard. The accident inquiry found the collision – in broad daylight with good visibility at about 5pm on 29 August last year – happened largely because nobody aboard either ship was keeping a proper lookout. http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/ships-collided-after-tanker-skipper-went-for-a-pee-in-the-sea/

Watchkeeper 'distracted by tablet' before ships collided

A watchkeeper may have been distracted by using his tablet computer before a collision between two ships at sea, a report has found. The cargo ship Daroja and oil bunker barge Erin Wood collided off Peterhead at around 5pm on August 29, 2016, putting the lives of two crew in grave danger The Erin Wood heeled over 90 degrees and water rushed in. The deckhand, who was in the mess room, was fully submerged in seawater while the skipper escaped from the flooded bridge through an open window. The Cyprus registered Daroja sustained minor damage, but damage to the St Kitts and Nevis registered barge included breaches of the hull, resulting in flooding of the vessel and pollution from leaking fuel cargo. A Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report into the incident, which happened four nautical miles south east of Peterhead, found that poor watchkeeping by lone watchkeepers led to the collision. https://stv.tv/news/north/1376358-watchkeeper-distracted-by-tablet-before-ships-collided/

Report on collision to be revealed soon

The final outcome of an investigation into a collision between the "Erin Wood" and the "Daroja" on Aug 29, 2015, in the North Sea will be revealed in the coming weeks. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said its assessment has focused on a number of aspects including safety management and emergencyresponse. On the night of the incident the "Erin Wood" had departed from North Shields in England. At the time it was fully loaded with 130 tons of marine gas and oil which was destined for Scrabster. The "Daroja" had sailed from Aberdeen and commenced passage to Lerwick in Shetland the following day. Both the cargo vessel and bunker barge were four nautical miles south-east of Peterhead but “neither watchkeeper was aware of the other vessel approaching”. The two collided with damage to the "Erin Wood" including breaches of the hull which led to significant flooding as well as pollution from the leaking fuel cargo. The "Daroja" suffered minor indentation damage to its bulbous bow. Once the situation on board the "Erin Wood" was under control, it was towed to Peterhead by the trawler "Ocean Endeavour". The "Daroja" also proceeded to Peterhead. Both vessels were subsequently inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, approval was given for Daroja to proceed back to sea, however the "Erin Wood" was detained due to the level of damage sustained. The investigation has been looking to determine the causes and circumstances of the collision. A draft report is now expected to be with key stakeholders in the next two weeks.