HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS

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Latest news

Report into capsize of tug while assisting Hebridean Princess published

The UK MAIB has issued an investigation report on the incident of the girting and capsize of the tug 'Biter', while assisting the 'Hebridean Princess' on Feb 24, 2023. At 3.27 p.m., the twin screw tug capsized off Greenock, while attached to the stern of the 'Hebridean Princess', which was making its approach to James Watt Dock. The two crew members of the tug were unable to escape from the vessel and lost their lives. The investigation found that the accident happened because the tug was unable to reverse direction to operate directly astern of the 'Hebridean Princess' before the tug’s weight came onto the towing bridle and, when this happened, the tug’s gob rope did not prevent it from being towed sideways. The investigation also found that the 'Hebridean Princess'’s speed meant the load on the 'Biter'’s towlines was between two and five times greater than at the port’s recommended speed range. Thereafter, given the tug’s rapid capsize, it was unlikely that the tug crew had sufficient time to operate the emergency tow release mechanism. Once the tug was inverted, the open accommodation hatch might have prevented air from being trapped inside the wheelhouse, potentially limiting the crew’s chance of survival. The investigation also found that the master/pilot and pilot/tug information exchanges were incomplete and that the opportunity to correct the pilot’s assumption about Biter’s intended manoeuvre was lost. Further analysis indicated that the training provided had not adequately prepared the pilot for their role and that it was likely the tug master did not fully appreciate the risks associated with the manoeuvre. Full report: https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/UKMAIB-Biter-HebrideanPrincess-2024_11.pdf

Interim report into fatal accident published

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an interim investigation report into the capsize of the tug 'Biter' while assisting the 'Hebridean Princess' near Greenock, Inverclyde, on Feb 24, 2023, in which George Taft, 65, of Greenock and Ian Catterson, 73, of Millport, drowned as they were unable to escape the tug, which was upturned in the water for 35 minutes before it sank. The report said the tug ‘girted and capsized’ while approaching the James Watt Dock amid good visibility, high water and a slack tidal stream. The tug’s towing arrangement, its watertight integrity, the training and experience of the personnel involved and the management of towing operations within the port have all been considered during its investigations. The MAIB report found there was no damage to the 'Hebridean Princess' which had 45 passengers on board at the time of the incident. Report with photo: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/tugboat-capsized-river-clyde-killing-28845668

Sunken tug surveyed

Police divers have surveyed the sunken tug 'Biter' on the bed of the Clyde off Custom House Quay on March 2. Force boats along with other vessels were spotted working at the site of the tragic accident in the afternoon. Officershave started a survey of the sunken vessel as part of their ongoing investigation work. Greenock man George Taft, 65, and Ian Catterson, 73, from Millport perished during the sinking on Feb 24.