Report on Tug Capsize Incident Highlights Safety Failures

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch recently released a report on the tragic loss of the tug Biter, which capsized while assisting the passenger vessel Hebridean Princess in Greenock, Scotland last year. The incident occurred during a ship assist maneuver in which the tug was girted and subsequently capsized, leading to the loss of the vessel and the lives of two crew members.

The investigation revealed several operational issues that contributed to the accident, including a lack of communication during the master-pilot exchange process and the excessive speed of the Hebridean Princess during the maneuver. The tug’s towing arrangement, which included a gog line made of HMPE, failed to prevent the towline from slipping dangerously forward towards the tow hook, ultimately resulting in the girting of the tug.

Furthermore, the report highlighted the importance of proper securing arrangements for towing lines, as well as the need for maintaining watertight hatches to prevent downflooding in emergency situations. The findings underscore the critical role of effective communication, proper equipment maintenance, and adherence to safety protocols in preventing maritime accidents and ensuring the safety of crew members and vessels during ship assist operations.

Source