Classification
- Incident Type: Engine Failure
- Severity: Low
- Region: United States
The immediate cause of the propulsion loss was not identified in the reviewed web sources. No immediate threat to nearby oil platforms or the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary was reported.
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Maersk Kawasaki |
| Vessel Type | Container |
| Flag State | |
| IMO Number | 9107887 |
| MMSI | |
| Call Sign | |
| Gross Tonnage | 81488 |
| LOA (m) | 318 |
| Breadth (m) | 42.8 |
| Bollard Pull (t) | |
| Power (kW) | 54902 |
| Owner/Operator | |
| TEU | 6418 |
| Year Built | 1997 |
| Crew Size |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2009-01-09 |
| Location | Santa Barbara Channel, California |
| Coordinates | 34.2415, -119.8666 |
| Region | United States |
| Fatalities | |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Cargo Loss | |
| Direct Damage | |
| Economic Damage | |
| Insured Loss | |
| Salvage/Cleanup Cost |
Key facts
- The vessel lost propulsion while northbound in the Santa Barbara Channel; the cause was initially unknown.
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip and local tugboats were dispatched, while the vessel used its bow and stern thrusters to maintain position.
- Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Service and the Marine Exchange monitored the casualty, and an urgent marine information broadcast was issued.
- Maersk Kawasaki later transited under its own power to Port Hueneme. Crowley tugs Admiral and Leader attended, and Blacktip escorted the vessel to an anchorage outside the port.
- The reviewed web report identifies the U.S. Coast Guard and Lloyd's Register as investigating the power loss but does not provide a final finding.
Narrative
On 9 January 2009, Maersk Kawasaki lost propulsion while heading north through the Santa Barbara Channel. The vessel remained in the channel while the U.S. Coast Guard coordinated a response. Coast Guard Cutter Blacktip and local tugboats were dispatched, and the containership used its bow and stern thrusters to hold position. The Coast Guard monitored the situation through Vessel Traffic Service and the Marine Exchange and reported no immediate threat to oil platforms or the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
A follow-up report stated that Maersk Kawasaki transited late that night under its own power to Port Hueneme. Crowley tugs Admiral and Leader attended the vessel, and Blacktip escorted it to an anchorage outside the port. The reviewed sources do not identify the machinery fault that caused the propulsion loss, quantify damage, or provide casualty counts. They identify the U.S. Coast Guard and Lloyd's Register as investigating the incident.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2009-01-09 | Maersk Kawasaki lost propulsion while heading north through the Santa Barbara Channel. |
| 2009-01-09 | Blacktip and local tugboats were dispatched; the vessel used bow and stern thrusters to maintain position. |
| 2009-01-09 to 2009-01-10 | The vessel proceeded under its own power to Port Hueneme with Crowley tugs attending and Blacktip escorting it to an anchorage. |
Investigation
The web report reproduces U.S. Coast Guard releases stating that the cause of the propulsion loss was unknown and that the casualty was under investigation by the Coast Guard and Lloyd's Register. No public final investigation finding was identified in the reviewed sources.
References
- Professional Mariner: Maersk containership loses propulsion in Santa Barbara Channel
- Port of Hamburg: Maersk Kawasaki vessel particulars