Tug collision with trawler due to control transfer error: Report

The UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Bureau (MAIB) recently published a report on a collision between a trawler and a moored tug at the port of Hull in 2022. The incident was attributed to a discrepancy in the controllable pitch propeller’s control levers during a transfer of control from the bridge to the engine room, as per the agency’s findings.

The Kirkella returned from a fishing trip on June 24, 2022, and was berthing at King George Dock in Hull when the mishap occurred. The master successfully docked the vessel without incident, but a series of errors during the engine shutdown process led to the ship unexpectedly moving forward, resulting in a collision with the moored tug Shovette amidships.

The investigation focused on the vessel’s propulsion control system, specifically the Rolls-Royce Helicon-X3, which lacked an interlock to prevent sudden propulsion control changes during control transfers between consoles. The MAIB highlighted the need for industry operators to be aware of this issue and recommended retrofitting an interlock on Kirkella‘s propulsion controls to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Source .