Over-Correction Resulted in Grounding of General Cargo Ship

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) recently released a preliminary assessment of the grounding incident involving the general cargo vessel Baltic Arrow. The vessel ran aground on June 25, 2024, near New Dyke Farm on the River Nene while en route to Wisbech, England. Baltic Arrow, which had departed from Riga, Latvia, was carrying a cargo of timber when the incident occurred. The vessel had anchored at the Wisbech anchorage off the east coast of England the day before the grounding.

As the vessel approached the pilot station on the day of the incident, two pilots boarded Baltic Arrow at 0700. Pilot A, who was under assessment by senior pilot Pilot B, took the helm while the master and Pilot B monitored the passage without specific roles within the bridge team. However, at 0848, the vessel’s bows grounded on the western bank of the river at a speed over the ground of 6 knots, with no damage, pollution, or injuries reported. Initial attempts to free the vessel were unsuccessful, and it was eventually refloated with tug assistance on the evening flood tide at 2150.

The MAIB’s preliminary assessment highlighted several key factors contributing to the grounding incident. Pilot A may have over-corrected the vessel’s heading in response to bank effect, leading to the grounding. The sustained high level of attention required for pilotage in a confined channel may have caused a lapse in concentration. Additionally, ineffective communication within the bridge team and a lack of a shared mental model of the task being undertaken prevented timely recognition of the developing situation. Furthermore, insufficient action had been taken to prevent a recurrence following a similar incident involving Baltic Arrow’s sister vessel in February 2023. Subsequent measures taken by Wisbech Harbour Authority and Galleywood Shipping (Baltic Arrow) Limited aim to improve pilot training, vessel suitability assessments, risk assessments, and bridge watchkeeping practices to enhance safety and prevent future incidents.

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