MAIB releases report into grounding of Thea II in Humber Estuary

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the grounding and recovery of container feeder vessel, Thea II, and tug Svitzer Josephine. The incident took place in December 2018 in the approaches to the Humber Estuary.

Thea II was on her way from Amsterdam, bound for Hull with 85 containers landed, 46 of
which were on deck.

Thea II’s passage across the North Sea was uneventful. However, by the following afternoon on 15 December, as she approached the Humber, the weather deteriorated and the wind increased to south-easterly force 8, accompanied by a 2-3m sea. Watch the video below to experience the conditions.

At 15:01, an operator at vessel traffic service (VTS) Humber observed that Thea II’s speed had reduced to zero and enquired, using Very High Frequency (VHF) radio, if there was a problem. Thea II’s master responded that the main engine had failed, the ship was now ‘not under command’ and that it required tug assistance.

Three minutes later, Thea II’s master reported that the vessel had anchored using its port anchor with five shackles of cable in the water – but this was to prove insufficient. The VTSO subsequently contacted Humber coastguard and notified them of the incident.

Svitzer Josephine, Immingham Oil Terminal’s (IOT) duty fire tug, was tasked to assist, with a second, Svitzer Castle, requested shortly afterwards.

Shortly after Thea II had anchored, the port suspended pilotage due to the deteriorating weather conditions. While awaiting the arrival of tugs, the weather deteriorated further and Thea II dragged its anchor towards the Binks shoal.

At 17:39, before Thea II could be towed clear, the container vessel and Svitzer Josephine ran aground. Search and rescue assets were deployed, but no personnel were evacuated from either vessel.

As the tide rose, both vessels refloated. Just before 22:00, Svitzer Josephine was able to get underway and return to harbour. However, Thea II’s tow was delayed while the vessel’s managers attempted to agree contractual terms with another tug operator. At about 01:00 the following day, its managers signed Lloyd’s Open Form. The vessel was then towed to the deep-water anchorage before being taken into harbour on 16 December 2018. There were no injuries and no pollution as a result of this accident.

The investigation found that Thea II had lost propulsion due to the failure of its main engine governor, which could not be repaired, and the master had no choice but to anchor the vessel and await the arrival of tugs. However, as the weather deteriorated and the vessel began to drag towards the Binks shoal, the master did not deploy all his remaining chain or his vessel’s second anchor. Had he done so, it would have slowed or arrested the vessel’s rate of drift and allowed more time for tugs to secure lines and tow the vessel clear.

The investigation also found that the tug Svitzer Josephine grounded because the master, focused on passing the towline to the crew of Thea II, lost positional awareness and did not appreciate the rate of drift of both vessels towards the Binks shoal.

Thea II refloated on the rising tide. However, despite the best efforts of the harbourmaster, the Maritime & Coastguard Agency and local tugs, in difficult weather conditions, Thea II’s managers only agreed salvage terms 2½ hours later, under the threat of formal direction from the Secretary of State’s Representative. This delay almost led to Thea II re-grounding, risking damage to an environmentally sensitive area.

As a result of this accident, action has been taken by Associated British Ports Humber and Svitzer Marine Ltd, to review their risk assessments and operating procedures. The Secretary of State’s Representative has continued an industry wide engagement programme to promote a greater understanding of his role. A recommendation has been made to Thea II’s managers, TS-Shipping, to review their emergency response organisation and procedures.

Read the full report online.