Contact made by bulk carrier Royal Oasis with anchored bulk carrier Berge Atlantic
Location: Off Port Talbot, England.
Completed PE Summary: Royal Oasis
A short summary of the accident and action taken:
| Merchant Vessel/Accident Details | |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Royal Oasis |
| Registered Owner | Kingsland Maritime S.A. |
| Operator | First Marine Service Co Ltd |
| Port of Registry | Panama |
| Flag | Panama |
| Type | Bulk carrier |
| Built | 1995 |
| Construction | Steel |
| Length Overall | 280m |
| Gross Tonnage | 81058 |
| Date/Time | 13/08/2010, 0520 (UTC) |
| Location of Incident | 1.3 nm SSE of Port Talbot pilot position |
| Incident Type | Collision |
| Persons Onboard | 21 |
| Injuries/Fatalities | None |
| Damage/Pollution | Damage to hull plating and internal structure |
Synopsis
On 13 August 2010, the bulk carrier Royal Oasis weighed anchor and departed the deepwater anchorage off Port Talbot in preparation for embarking a pilot and entering the harbour. The vessel began a substantial turn to port as part of its manoeuvres to reach the pilot station. During the turn, Royal Oasis was set by the strong 3 knot tidal stream that was running, and she collided with another bulk carrier, Berge Atlantic, which had been anchored 1.3 miles astern of Royal Oasis’s original position. The collision caused extensive structural damage to both vessels.
The preliminary examination found that the strength of the tidal stream had not been identified in the passage plan or discussed in a pre-departure briefing. It is most likely, from the manner in which the manoeuvre was executed, that the effect of the tidal stream on Royal Oasis’s turning performance was not properly considered before it left the anchorage. Pre-departure checklists had not been used for testing equipment, and emergency procedures in the safety management system were difficult to use and not readily available.
Action taken
The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has made a recommendation to the operators of Royal Oasis highlighting the deficiencies found in the safety management system and navigational procedures. Associated British Ports (South Wales) has worked with local shipping agents to include warnings about the strength of tidal streams in pre-arrival notices to ships. It is also investigating ways of highlighting tidal information in hydrographic publications.
Published: September 2010