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Report: Cargo ship grounded because chief officer was in washroom

The 'CEG Orbit”, actually sailing as 'Leila', ran aground off the Isle of Man on Aug 26, 2021, as the chief officer needed to visit the washroom, a report stated. The ship had set sail from Liverpool for Belfast, loaded with wheat grains. According to the Isle of Man Registry, the officer, who was in charge of the vessel, experienced a sudden sharp intestinal pain at around 2 a.m. He then had an immediate need to leave the bridge to go to the washroom, and he did so leaving the vessel unattended. However, while doing so, he did not change the vessel’s course, which would have prevented it from running aground. At the time of the accident, the cargo vessel had a crew of five members, and the Master’s standing orders mention that the bridge must not be left unattended. It specifically notes that if it becomes necessary to leave the bridge during the watch, you must first be relieved by another. In addition, the Isle of Man Registry explains that the Chief Officer failed to follow an instruction provided by the Master by not calling him to the bridge to be temporarily relieved from his function of safe navigation. In fact, it would have been visible to make out the shore of the Isle of Man and see the lighthouse at the Point of Ayre. Isle of Man also requested Latvian authorities, in which the cargo vessel is registered, to consider if taking any further actions is necessary. No one was injured in the incident, and it has not caused pollution or harmed the wildlife in that area. The cargo vessel was refloated the next day. Report with photo: https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/cargo-ship-ran-aground-on-the-isle-of-man-as-the-chief-officer-had-to-visit-the-washroom/

Isle of Man Ship Registry investigating grounding

The Isle of Man Ship Registry was carrying out a preliminary investigation into the beaching of the 'CEG Orbit' at Cranstal in the early hours of 26 August. The investigation is being carried out on behalf of the Latvian authorities as the ship's flag state. After the salvage by the tugs 'Wendy Ann' of the Laxey Towing Company, and the 'CT Vector' from Liverpool, the ship made its way to Douglas where it was checked for damage.

Grounded vessel refloated

In their second attempt, tugs have successfully refloated the 'CEG Orbit' which had run aground at Cranstal on Aug 26 at 2 a.m. The Laxey Towing Company had deployed the tug 'Wendy Ann', assisted by the Liverpool based tug 'CT Vector', which pulled the vessel off the beach on Aug 27 between 2 and 3 a.m. during the high tide. Before, diggers had cleared some of the boulders around the ship to make it easier to tow it back into the water. Once refloated, the vessel was towed to the South Quay of Douglas in the morning hours, where diving teams will survey the hull to check for any damage caused by the grounding. The five crew members have remained on board throughout the time, due to the island's Covid protocols. The first refloating attempt in the afternoon of Aug 26 had failed. Reports with photos: https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/ceg-orbit-successfully-refloated/ https://www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/first-attempt-to-refloat-cargo-ship-fails/ https://www.three.fm/news/isle-of-man-news/ceg-orbit-back-in-the-water/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-58356190 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-58342316