SAFE T Y
Briefings
Lack of hull inspection and maintenance led to sinking is report finding
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued an investigation report into the capsizing and sinking of crane barge Ambition that was towed by Karen Koby.
On 15 June 2022, about 0400 local time, the vessel Karen Koby was towing the crane barge Ambition when the barge capsized and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, about 48 miles southeast of Cameron, Louisiana. There were no persons on the barge, and none of the Karen Koby’s four crew were injured. The Ambition was partly submerged in about 54 feet of water, where it was later salvaged. The sunken barge released an estimated 1,980 gallons of oil. The Ambition and its crane were determined to be a total loss, with damages estimated at $6.3 million.
Probable cause NTSB determined that the probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the crane barge Ambition was the barge owner’s lack of an inspection and maintenance regime, and not conducting permanent repairs, which resulted in the failure of the hull and subsequent flooding.
Contributing to the capsizing was likely down flooding through an open deck hatch due to the tow operator’s failure to ensure adherence to its procedures for barge watertight integrity before getting underway, despite being aware of deficiencies with the watertight integrity of the barge.
Lessons Learned – Effective Hull Inspection and Maintenance – To protect vessels and the environment, it is good marine practice for vessel owners to conduct regular oversight and maintenance of hulls, including between drydock periods.
– An effective maintenance and hull inspection program should proactively address potential steel wastage, identify hull and watertight integrity deficiencies, and ensure corrosion issues are repaired in a timely manner by permanent means.
Download the report at
https://bit.ly/48s3pPv. Or scan the QR code. Ensuring safe access to Australian domestic commercial vessels
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has published a safety alert to raise awareness of the risks involved with getting on and off domestic commercial vessels. Accessing a vessel while at berth is a routine activity and is sometimes taken for granted. The requirement for safe access can be overlooked, particularly where there are limited berthing options, or a vessel is only berthed for a short period. Failing to provide safe access can result in serious risk to people. This is heightened by bad weather or extreme tidal variations. Under the Australian National Law, the owner and master are responsible to ensure the safety of people boarding a domestic commercial vessel.
1 Assess the risks.
What are they? What could make them worse? What could happen to a person if things go wrong? How bad would the impact be?
2 Implement ways to control those risks. These may include: - Ensuring a ‘safe design’ gangway - Securing platforms or gangways firmly and clear of the wharf edge or other potential hazards
- Limiting access in bad weather and if necessary, during extreme tidal variations
- Providing adequate lighting around the gangway, especially at night to increase visibility
- Including instructions on when and how to safely board the vessel—and when not to—in your crew safety inductions and signage. Under the general safety duties, crew,
passengers and other visitors must follow these instructions
- Encouraging crew to report hazards and incidents associated with getting on and off the vessel.
- Developing emergency procedures for possible incidents associated with access to the vessel i.e. falls, person overboard.
- Ensuring crew are clear about what they need to do—if there is no safe access, do not proceed (report any issues related to safe access)
- Identifying, documenting and managing the risks will help you implement effective risk controls. These could include safe work procedures, regular inspections and maintenance of equipment, appropriate training, induction and supervision of crew.
- Document these risks and controls in your safety management system and review them periodically to make sure they are still relevant and practical.
THE REPORT | DEC 2023 | ISSUE 106 | 19
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