Flooding, engine failure and grounding of refrigerated cargo vessel Green Lily with loss of 1 life during rescue
Location: Off Shetland Islands, Scotland.
Accident Investigation Report 5/1999
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:
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Summary
On the 19 November 1997 refrigerated cargo vessel Green Lily grounded off the East Coast of Bressay, Shetland Islands, Scotland. The vessel had suffered flooding and main engine failure during heavy weather. The ship’s crew were rescued but a helicopter winchman was swept into the sea and lost.
Safety Issues
The cause of the grounding was the lack of propulsion and failure to restart the main engine to arrest the drift of the vessel towards the shore in the prevailing environmental conditions. Contributory causes included flooding of the engine room, failure to reset the mechanical over-speed trip, inadequate knowledge of the cooling water system, failure of towage attempts and inadequate teamwork.
Recommendations
Recommendations are aimed at improving operational teamwork and the probability of effecting a successful tow in similar circumstances.
This report was published on 11 August 1999.