Article

BSU: Interim investigation of Mumbai Maersk grounding


published on 8 February 2023 434 -

Picture and text by BSU (Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung/Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation)

On 2 February 2022, the MUMBAI MAERSK, a so called „Ultra-Large Container Ship“ (ULCS2 ), was en route from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Bremerhaven. The ship had chosen the deep-water route as opposed to the coastal route for its approach. In the course of a turning manoeuvre just before entry into the narrow “Neue Weser” fairway, the ship ran aground on a dumping ground for dredging silt adjacent to the fairway.

During her approach of the narrow fairway section, the MUMBAI MAERSK received the information via UHF that her berth was still occupied, despite existing schedules, but would become free very soon. With a draft of 12.80 m, the ship was tide-dependent. At first, Vessel Traffic Services granted permission for the ship, which was approaching at a speed of 6 – 7 knots, to cross into the next VTS district. Shortly afterwards, however, it was denied entry into the narrow section of the fairway in which neither turning nor encounters between large ships would be possible without problems. The vessel therefore performed a turn before that point (approx. level with buoys 3b and 4b) and proceeded to sail in the opposite direction.

Less than half an hour later, the MUMBAI MAERSK was informed that she could now enter Bremerhaven after all. With the tide window threatening to close, the ship immediately turned back to her original course. The planned manoeuvre failed, however, and the MUMBAI MAERSK ran aground on a dumping ground for dredging silt just south of the fairway.

Due to the sudden "deceleration" of the foreship, which had run aground first, at a speed of almost 10 knots and during a port turn, the stern of the ship entered into a yawing motion. The ship continued to pivot around a longitudinal axis on the grounded foreship. When the MUMBAI MAERSK finally stopped moving after about 20 minutes, it had rotated by more than 180° from the direction in which it had run onto the dumping ground. When the grounding first happened at 23:06 hrs, it was immediately reported to Vessel Traffic Control.

Join the conversation...

Login or register to write comments and join the discussion!
Joseph van de Boel Loodswezen - NEDERLANDSE LOODSENCORPORATIE, Netherlands
on 16 February 2023, 08:47 UTC

Pilots of leaving and arriving ships should talk with each other about the situation, short communication lines.VTS to be informed when the pilots have made a plan.
0

Read more...

Video Pilot tender GRODEN on the river Weser

published on 1 October 2021

Pilot tender GRODEN on 16.12.2020 on the river Weser at Brake Unterweser to Cuxhaven - 4K VIDEO

0

Video Departure Bremen Port, Germany | Pilot on the Bridge | Pilot Boat Swath

published on 20 June 2020

Editors note:
Pilot Boat "Döse" built by A&R

0

Video Maastricht MAERSK inbound Bremerhaven

published on 5 August 2020

Feel free to share!
#pilot #sea #shipspotting #lifeatsea #sailor #bremerhaven #ship #container #containership #tug #seaman #seamanslife #maritime #passengership #navigator #mariner #mastermarina #shipstagramm #captain #dockingpilot #vessel #northsea #port #shipping #navigation #cruise #maersk #cargoship #shipping #merchantnavy

0

Video Grounding of Orient Centaur

published on 15 November 2019

On 6 November 2017, the fully laden, mini cape-size dry bulk carrier Orient Centaur was transiting the South Channel, Weipa, Queensland, outbound under the conduct of harbour pilots as part of a trial introduction of this size of ship to the port. While in the South Channel, the ship’s main engine shut down due to a loss of water from a cracked engine cooling component, and propulsion was lost. Shortly after, the ship grounded on the northern batter of the channel. The stern then slowly...

0

Video Containership Loses Power Entering Tampa Bay | Pilot Utilized Tugs to Stop the Ship

published on 9 September 2024

Another Ship Loses Power September 8, 2024 In this episode, Sal Mercogliano - a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner - discusses the loss of power on board the containership Tyndall as it made its approach to the pier in Tampa on September 5, 2024. #supplychain #containerships #tyndall #tampa #pilot #docking Support What's Going on With Shipping via: Patreon: www.patreon.com/wgowshipping Twitter: @mercoglianos Facebook: @wgowshipping...

0

Article Update on the Mumbai Maersk accident off Wangerooge (Germany)

published on 3 February 2022

High water is necessary for salvage - 1 p.m. is the earliest possible start for the next salvage attempt of the 400-metre-long vessel.

2

Video PTR Pilot ladder

published on 6 November 2020

0

Video RightShip Safety Insights - Pilot and Accommodation Ladders

published on 20 June 2023

Over the past two years, RightShip has reviewed more than 21,000 PSC inspections, assessed over 2,500 incidents, and inspected over 4,600 vessels. This is in addition to the reviewing a large number of SIRE reports as part of the vetting process. Despite the industry’s efforts and campaigns to educate, we have observed an upward trend in deficiencies and non-conformities involving pilot ladders and arrangements. The data gathered from RightShip Inspections indicates that the pilot ladder...

0

Video Pilot boats in rough seas during Storm Ciara

published on 20 April 2020

Here's the full video of recent sea trials with our two pilot boats including storm Ciara, three boats together and some boarding runs. Its quite an interesting little video with some great footage.

0

Video Nighttime departure from Figueira da Foz including VHF radio communication - ship time laps video

published on 9 February 2022

The Dutch coaster Mv. Stroombank is leaving the port of Figueira da Foz in Portugal. Normally operations are restricted to daylight only, but because bad weather was forecasted for the days to come we've received an exemption and were allowed to depart during dark hours. Cargo operations were running close to the departure deadline so we quickly secured the cargo and prepared the vessel for sea. The tide was running out so we used the forward spring to keep position as we went slow astern...

1