Probe finds safety problems after out-of-control dredger flooded off Sutherland coast
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A dredger that ended up out of control off the Sutherland coast was not a suitable vessel to carry out a coastal tow of a barge, an official probe has found.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch said the dredger was holed and flooded after being rammed repeatedly by the barge.
The incident happened around 8pm on April 9 last year near Kinlochbervie.
The dredger Shearwater was immobilised after its propeller shafts were fouled by its own towline, which was being used to tow the unmanned barge, Agem One.
Thereafter, Shearwater was damaged and holed, resulting in flooding, after repeated collisions with Agem One, which was no longer under control.
The towline parted and Agem One drifted away. There was no pollution or injury. The situation was eventually stabilised after the intervention of a the Lochinver lifeboat, a workboat and an emergency towing vessel.
Shearwater began towing the barge on March 25 from Glasgow, intending to transit to Eyemouth in a series of short passages. The purpose of the voyage was to reposition for the start of a new dredging contract. There were four persons on board.
The key safety issues identified by inspectors from the MAIB were that the Shearwater was not a suitable vessel to conduct a lengthy coastal tow, and there was insufficient planning or safety procedures for the voyage.
Shearwater’s crew did not have the necessary competence for the towing voyage, and there was no tow master.
Safety certification by the flag state did not provide sufficient assurance for safe operation of the vessel.
Since the accident the vessel has been transferred to the flag of St Kitts and Nevis.
Shearwater’s owner – Northern Dredging Limited – has been recommended to assess all on-board hazards and provide safe systems of work to mitigate foreseeable risks and to ensure the vessel is safely manned.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been recommended to ensure that, when certification is granted using exemptions from Load Line Regulations, the certificate should include conditions and limitations appropriate to the vessel’s intended operations.
Since the accident, Shearwater’s owner has purchased a small tug for use when repositioning barges and carried out other improvements.
