Excessive Speed Leads To Tugboat Collision With Container Ship
Excessive speed during an advanced harbor-assist maneuver led to a tugboat colliding with a container ship in the Houston Ship Channel last year, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday.
The tugboat George M and container ship MSC Aquarius collided on April 14, 2022, while the tugboat was positioning for a ship-assist maneuver and the container ship was transiting north in the Houston Ship Channel. No injuries were reported. About 1,000 gallons of gear oil were released from the damaged George M’s port propulsion unit. Damages to both vessels totaled more than $900,000.
The George M and another tugboat were performing a harbor-assist operation to dock the MSC Aquarius at the terminal. George M was assigned the “center lead forward” position on the bow of the container ship. To make up to the bow of the MSC Aquarius, the tugboat had to maneuver into position ahead of the container ship, bow-to-bow. The mate on the George M was operating the tugboat at the time of the collision. It was the mate’s first rotation on board the George M’s class of vessel.
In maneuvering the George M to the center forward position, the mate approached the container ship as it was transiting at 9.7 knots. While attempting to connect its line to the container ship, the tugboat moved out of the centerline. The mate attempted to maneuver the tugboat back to the centerline but was unable to regain position. The mate’s attempt resulted in two collisions between the vessels.
The mate could have requested the pilot of the MSC Aquarius to slow, but the mate did not communicate with the pilot after being assigned to the center lead forward position. The pilot was unaware of the status of the tugboat or the need to slow. The NTSB determined the probable cause of the collision was the George M mate’s attempt to make up bow-to-bow while the tugboat and container ship transited at a speed that was excessive for the advanced harbor-assist maneuver.
Contributing to the collision was George M mate’s lack of experience operating the tugboat.
“The risk of a casualty during bow-to-bow harbor-assist operations with azimuthing stern drive (ASD) tugboats increases with increasing speed. Hydrodynamic forces around an assisted vessel’s bow increase exponentially with speed, while the amount of reserve propulsion power available to the tugboat operator decreases,” the report said.
“Owners and operators of ASD tugboats that perform bow-to-bow harbor-assist operations should set speed limits for these maneuvers. These limits may vary for different classes of tugboats based on design. Tugboat operators should communicate these pre-determined speed limits to ship masters or pilots in command of the vessels that they are assisting before engaging in these maneuvers.”
Press Release
Shipping News You Would Like:
Disclaimer :
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. While we endeavour to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this website.
Do you have info to share with us ? Suggest a correction
Latest Shipping News You Would Like:
Shipfinex Announces Its First Tokenization Customer, TMC Shipping
U.S Navy To Begin Testing SEALs & Special Warfare Troops For Steroids And Other Drugs
U.S Navy To Commission Future Littoral Combat Ship USS Augusta In Eastport, Maine
Russia-China Trade Imbalance Leads To 150,000 Empty Containers Piling Up In Russia
U.S Navy Accuses Iranian Vessels Of Harassing Its Marine Attack Helicopter With Lasers
Get the Latest Maritime News Delivered to Your Inbox!
Our free, fast, and fun newsletter on the global maritime industry, delivered everyday.