Classification
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Incident Type | Grounded |
| Severity | High |
| Investigation Body | Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) |
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Vessel Name | Ocean Prefect |
| Vessel Names | Ocean Prefect |
| Vessel Type | Bulk Carrier |
| Flag State | United Kingdom [GB] |
| IMO Number | 9249257 |
| Gross Tonnage | 29323 |
| LOA (m) | 189 |
| Breadth (m) | 32.2 |
| Other Involved Vessels | Grouper Ann; Mullet Ann; Pacific Vortex; Halibut Ann |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Date | 2017-06-10 |
| Region | Persian Gulf |
| Location | Ahmed Bin Rashid Port, Umm Al Qaywayn, United Arab Emirates |
| Coordinates | 25.5923, 55.5786 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Missing | 0 |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage | |
Key facts
- Ocean Prefect was carrying 35,649 tonnes of coal and drawing more than 9 metres while approaching the port.
- The first grounding occurred at about 13:03 local time on 10 June and caused no identified damage.
- Tug assistance refloated the vessel at about 01:15 on 11 June, after which it anchored in safe water.
- The vessel grounded again at about 13:42 on 11 June; port ballast tanks 1, 2 and 3 were later found flooding.
- The MAIB identified tidal-stream effects, limited pilot local knowledge, inadequate information, misleading channel marks and weak port marine governance.
Narrative
Ocean Prefect approached Ahmed Bin Rashid Port at Umm Al Qaywayn on 10 June 2017 with two harbour pilots on board. The vessel was carrying 35,649 tonnes of coal, drawing more than 9 metres, and entering a dredged approach channel about 100 metres wide and 10 metres deep. The pilots expected the tidal stream to be slack near high water. After the vessel passed the seaward gate buoys, a stronger-than-expected westerly set moved it toward shoal water and it grounded at about 13:03 local time. There was no water ingress or identified damage. Three harbour tugs could not refloat the vessel during the afternoon, but further tug assistance succeeded at about 01:15 on 11 June. Ocean Prefect anchored in safe water before making a second entry attempt. The master and pilots planned to remain toward the eastern side of the channel to counter a similar set. During the approach, the tidal set diminished unexpectedly and the vessel continued toward the channel limit. At about 13:42 it grounded again. The vessel proceeded to its berth, where port ballast tanks 1, 2 and 3 were found flooding and a 3-degree port list developed. Inspection identified splits, deep indentations and buckling in the port-side shell plating; the largest split measured 9.1 metres by 0.2 metres. Ocean Prefect later discharged its cargo and proceeded to dry dock in Dubai for repairs. The MAIB found that variable tidal streams, limited local pilot knowledge, inadequate tidal and survey information, potentially misleading marks and weak port marine governance all contributed. No one was injured and no pollution occurred.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|
| 2017-06-10 13:03 local | Ocean Prefect grounded during its first entry attempt; no damage was identified. |
| 2017-06-11 01:15 local | The vessel refloated with tug assistance and anchored in safe water. |
| 2017-06-11 13:42 local | Ocean Prefect grounded again during its second entry attempt. |
| 2017-06-11 15:00 local | The vessel was secured alongside; port ballast tanks 1, 2 and 3 were found flooding. |
| 2017-06-18 | A dive inspection identified extensive port-side shell damage before dry-dock repairs. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|
| Variable tidal stream | Confirmed finding | A westerly set influenced the first grounding, while the set diminished unexpectedly during the second entry. |
| Limited local pilot knowledge | Confirmed finding | The pilots had completed only two previous pilotage acts at Umm Al Qaywayn and were unfamiliar with local tidal variability and shoal-water limits. |
| Inadequate tidal and survey information | Confirmed finding | Available information did not adequately describe tidal-stream variation, and current survey data was not provided to the pilots. |
| Potentially misleading channel marks | Confirmed finding | Lateral posts were positioned outside the dredged channel and could give a misleading impression of the safe-water boundary. |
| Weak port marine governance | Confirmed finding | The port lacked sufficient marine expertise, resources and structured responsibility for safe pilotage and navigation. |
Investigation
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch published report 8/2018 on 18 April 2018. It concluded that tidal-stream effects were influential in both groundings and identified deficiencies in local pilot knowledge, tidal and survey information, navigational marking and port marine governance. The UAE Federal Transport Authority and port authority agreed measures including port-controlled pilotage arrangements, improved navigational information, leading lights, vessel-movement control, a hydrographic survey and upgraded navigational aids. The report did not provide a monetary damage estimate.
References
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