car transporter

[Chris Allman]

I follow British Seafarers on Facebook and have just read the following posted by them :-

Further to our story on the Car Carrier Hoegh Osaka, a private source has told us that:

"...the vessel never suffered any loss of propulsion or steerage nor was it any kind of pilot or navigational error. Early indications are that poor ballast/bunker tank management could be to blame. A large amount of bunker fuel was allowed to drain from the port side over to starboard at the moment the vessel was negotiating the turn to port around the west bramble cardinal bouy. This, combined with slack ballast tanks caused the vessel to take on a very pronounced list to starboard.

...she had made a full 180 degree turn round to port and was listing at approx 50 degrees. The pilot deliberately beached the car carrier in an effort to avoid a potential capsize situation.

...it's important to stress how calm and collected the pilot remained throughout the whole incident. He was the last person to be airlifted off the stricken vessel and deserves the utmost respect for his behaviour".

Anybody wishing to submit information on this or another story are welcome and asked to send us a private message. All information will remain totally anonymous. Thank you!

Link is HERE

Looks like someone is in the poo poo - what a way to start the year.


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[Captain Kong]

Thanks for that Chris,
I have never seen that site before, very interesting videos.
Cheers
Brian

[Keith Tindell]

Looks like your post 11 Chris, is about right.Latest report she developed a dangerous list, and was run aground deliberately, kt

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi All.
Looks like being a bit of a job to re-float her.
Ship Aground.jpg
Cheers Des

[j.sabourn]

Pilotage Exemptions... For those who think having a pilot on board is the begin all and end all of any disaster. The pilot is only there for advice and regardless of what one sees in Documentaries and Walt Disney cartoons is the only reason he is employed. Some port authorities may insist on having such as an additional guard against environmental disasters and such like. Most ports, vessels under a certain gross tonnage pilotage is not compulsory, and this includes ports like Singapore. I think Tony Tphilipd would back this up as regards Australian ports. I held dispensations for Dampier, Port Lincoln, an unofficial one for Darwin as the Harbour master could never catch me with sufficient time to sit the exam in his office. However do believe Sydney was compulsory for all ships, as was working out of there for quite a while doing survey work for an optus cable to Auckland, and they insisted I take a pilot every time, mind on picking up and dropping was nearly always well inside the Heads. Tony Tphilipd would of had similar exemptions and more than likely a one for Port Hedland where he worked for 7 years. Pilots are there for advice and can not have any great knowledge of the peculiarities of every individual ship. Cheers JS

[Captain Kong]

H John
The Car Transporter did have a Southampton Pilot on board and it was he who ran her aground when she started to have the big list, if he hadn't done so the ship would have capsized and blocked the main channel into Southampton also with great loss of life. that a capsize would bring.
He was also the very last man to be airlifted off it.
Those major ports in the UK are very strict on pilotage. No Pilot or No PEC No entry. I think the Pilotage rules here are a little stricter than a lot of Australian Ports. I had the PEC for Southampton.
A friend of mine who died recently after retiring and moving North to Manchester was a Southampton Pilot. All ex FG Masters.
A lot of companies had their own Pilots, ex company men, When I worked in and out of the Thames there were so many accidents with my companies ships, strandings, collisions, loss of life, etc. the Company made six of us to go for training as Company Pilots, we just took our own company ships in and out, it was an 80 mile Pilot area from the sea buoy, by South End Pier to the berth at Nine Elms. took over 10 to 12 hours each way, After dredging aggregates at sea for maybe up to 24 hours the Master was knackered when coming into the Thames for the 10/12 hour passage. So after the "Bowbelle Incident" when 51 people died the Rules had to be changed.
Cheers
Brian

[j.sabourn]

Thanks for that Brian, used to do my own up in Shetland used to get half the fee and throw in the pub for the boys. With no pilot got no linesmen so had to put one ashore to run up and down the quay. Working up the great Lakes they had if remember rightly a Class A and a Class B pilotage and most companies wanted the master and mate go for the Class B at least this was for transits of certain parts of the lakes, the Class A was berthing. I knocked it back as was on feet for literally days going up Niagara and the Welland canal and other lock systems. Then had all the cargo work on top of that. Been to ports in Oz where they have no pilots and have to find your own way in. Also the Lakes Navigation was slightly different in certain parts re the Rule of the Road. The lad who joined the site last year forget his name, it was his intention to go into the pilotage service out here, which is usually the Harbour Master in some of the out ports. If he sees this post may get back and let us know how he is getting on. What only 1 glass of wine at Xmas, was it a pint pot? Hope the medical bits went ok and they didn't cut the wrong bits off by mistake, have you looked yet. Cheers and all the best. John S

[Captain Kong]

Hi John
Still on my medication, not had a drink yet since last March, apart from a glass of wine now and again.
I am having my operation in Manchester a week tomorrow, 13TH. I have to go on Thursday for a medical exam to see if I am fit enough for it. I have one month before I head to the Pacific Islands on the 13Th of Feb. so hope its successful,
Cheers
Brian

[j.sabourn]

Tell them before you go under that it is imperative then to keep the essential bits. All the best for the op. know you will be in good hands. Are you coming out this way again. 43 today in Perth, cooling off tomorrow only 37. Beer fridge nearly empty so will have to venture out tomorrow to get replenished. Cappys having to warm his little sols over a candle, although he has probably had his tap stopped by now, after his close encounter with the milk jug. Arrivaderchi. still cant spell it. JS

[Keith Moody]

js. when i saw tempreture of 43 i thought you had moved to Manitoba, Canada. then i saw there were no minus sign befor it. yes our still air temp sat at -38c last night and with the wind chill -47. the ideal place for a winter holiday. where is this global warming?????? good luck on your operation Capt.