Offshore Chaos: Was It the Autopilot That Caused the English Ship Collision? Let's Dive Into the Mess!
- by Red
- 🕒 +- 4 Mins
The Man Behind the Curtain
Maritime Catastrophe Near England: Was Deactivation of Safety Systems Involved? - Catastrophic maritime clash near England's coast, suspected of disabled safety alert systems?
Ulf Kaspera, a seasoned lawyer, heads the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) since 2017. With a team of 13 investigators, this German authority delves into the mysteries of seafaring disasters happening within the German territorial waters, as well as significant maritime routes like the North Sea-Baltic Sea Canal and adjacent rivers (Elbe, Weser, Jade, Ems). They also handle incidents involving German-flagged vessels, no matter where they occur.
The Collision Caper
Recent news has been abuzz about the catastrophic collision between the container ship "Solong" and the oil tanker "Stena Immaculate" off the British coast. Both vessels erupted in flames. So, what's the lowdown on the cause of this calamitous incident?
"Well," says Ulf, "While we're not the authorities responsible for matters in British waters, the "Solong"'s tracking data paints a clear picture. It seems the autopilot may have played a part in this fiasco."
The Autopilot: Your Friend or Foe?
The autopilot is a Ship's faithful companion that maintains its course. However, it doesn't possess the ability to perform a 360-degree sweep. Approaching alarms are built into electronic charts, but they aren't automatically activated—they must be manually setup.
Deactivated Warning Systems: A Recurring Theme
The "Solong," at 130 meters, may be considered a relative minnow in comparison to other seafaring behemoths. Consequently, in coastal waters, warning systems going off constantly could be a source of irritation for the ever-vigilant crews. The predictable outcome? They simply shut those alarms off, choosing instead to rely on their keen eyesight and the undeniable beauty of the open sea.
Human Error: The Uninvited Guest
It's possible that on the "Solong," as on the "Petra L." before it, a member of the crew may have dozed off during their watch duty. After all, the sea's a seductive siren, capable of lulling even the most alert into slumber.
Avoiding Calamity at Sea: What Can Be Done?
On smaller "coasters," typically manned by just two crewmembers taking turns every six hours, it's a luck-of-the-draw game when it comes to staying awake and maintaining focus. If the watch is caught off guard, an accident could, and often does, ensue. In contrast, large vessels plying the open sea, such as the "Stena Immaculate," have more crewmembers to share responsibilities, thus reducing the risk of human error.
Stopping in Time: The Million-Dollar Question
In the event of danger, can a vessel be stopped in time to avoid a collision? Regrettably, the answer is a resounding no, especially for container ships traveling at full speed. The required braking distance is staggering, with even smaller vessels requiring miles to come to a halt. In times of crisis, captains should, whenever possible, turn the vessel to the right to avert a collision.
The Aftermath: Learning From Our Mistakes
Upon investigating such catastrophes within their jurisdiction, the BSU team is quick to arrive at the site within a day, ensuring evidence remains untouched, and crew accounts are as fresh as possible. Through rigorous investigation, they compile a report detailing their findings and propose measures to prevent future accidents. In some cases, they even prepare a "Lessons Learned" paper that outlines practical strategies for avoiding similar incidents.
Connecting the Dots: An International Collaboration
The BSU doesn't shy away from collaborating with their contemporaries in other countries, even working together to investigate cases involving vessels flying the flags of multiple nations.
The Consequences: Change is in the Wind
While the BSU's reports lack legal weight, they can inspire insurers to demand more stringent conditions from ship owners. Furthermore, when multiple authorities from different countries apply united pressure on international shipping organizations, it can lead to the implementation of increased, stricter rules. After all, the shipping industry is all about balancing the need for safety with the necessity of profit.
Calling for Change: Double Crew and a Solid Captain
Ulf proposes several changes, such as doubling the crew during coastal navigation to reduce the risk of human error. Additionally, he advocates for relieving captains from watch duties, so they can focus on their other demanding tasks.
The Increasing Danger of Seafaring: A Tug-of-War Between Progress and Safety
Traffic on the North and Baltic Seas has seen exponential growth in recent years, while the available waterways have become increasingly constricted due to the proliferation of wind farms. This dangerous cocktail increases the risk of accidents substantially. Unlike aviation incidents, most shipping disasters remain hidden from the public eye, even when fatalities occur—unless there's a spectacle like the recent English coast fire.
- Ulf Kaspera, the head of the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU), is investigating the recent collision between the container ship "Solong" and the oil tanker "Stena Immaculate" off the British coast, despite the incident happening in British waters.
- Vocational training for maritime crews on the correct usage and importance of warning systems, including manual activation of approaching alarm systems, could be a key preventative measure in avoiding similar incidents in the future.
- The autopilot of the container ship "Solong" may have played a part in the collision with the oil tanker "Stena Immaculate", according to Ulf Kaspera's interpretation of the ship's tracking data.
