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Accidents

North Tug (2013)

On 10 June 2013, the Norwegian workboat North Tug assisted the cruise ship Ocean Princess during departure from the deepwater quay in Kirkenes. North Tug was built in 2012, measured 14.89 m, had a gross tonnage of 30 and carried two people. The Accident Investigation Board Norway described it as a small workboat rather than a certified tugboat.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Capsize girding
  • Severity: High

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameNorth Tug
Vessel TypeTug
Flag StateNorway [NO]
IMO Number
Call SignLG 7141
Gross Tonnage30
LOA (m)14.89
Breadth (m)6
Bollard Pull (t)18
Power (kW)
Owner/OperatorDykknor AS
TEU
Year Built2012
Crew Size2

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2013-06-10
Time18:16 local
LocationKirkenes port, Norway
Coordinates69.730000, 30.063333
RegionNorway
Fatalities0
Injuries0
Missing0
Vessels Lost1
Direct Damage
Economic Damage
OutcomeNorth Tug capsized and sank; both crew members survived without injury.

Key facts

  • North Tug was a Norwegian workboat assisting the cruise ship Ocean Princess during departure from Kirkenes.
  • A change in the departure manoeuvre was not communicated to North Tug's skipper.
  • The workboat was pulled astern with the towline over its stern; water entered the aft deck and transverse towline forces caused the capsize.
  • Both crew members jumped into the water and survived without injury. North Tug later sank.

Narrative

On 10 June 2013, the Norwegian workboat North Tug assisted the cruise ship Ocean Princess during departure from the deepwater quay in Kirkenes. North Tug was built in 2012, measured 14.89 m, had a gross tonnage of 30 and carried two people. The Accident Investigation Board Norway described it as a small workboat rather than a certified tugboat.

The original plan was to move Ocean Princess sideways away from the quay while North Tug pulled its bow clear. The plan changed so that the cruise ship would move its stern away and then manoeuvre astern, but this change was not communicated to North Tug. The cruise ship consequently pulled the workboat astern with the towline over its stern. Water entered the aft deck, the boat turned partly across the direction of movement and transverse towline forces increased the heel.

North Tug capsized at about 18:16 local time. Both crew members jumped into the water and survived; the report records no injuries or deaths. After floating for a period in the capsized position, the workboat sank in Kirkenes port. The AIBN found that the operation had not adequately assessed the limitations of an uncertified workboat assisting a large cruise ship, and that the parties had not established sufficiently clear planning and communication.

The report also notes that North Tug lacked a wheelhouse emergency-release mechanism for the towline. The available evidence does not establish an IMO number or a monetary damage estimate.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2013-06-10 before 18:16 localNorth Tug was assigned to assist Ocean Princess during departure from Kirkenes.
2013-06-10 before 18:16 localThe departure manoeuvre changed, but the new astern movement was not communicated to North Tug.
2013-06-10 18:16 localNorth Tug capsized after being pulled astern with water on deck and the towline exerting transverse force.
2013-06-10 after 18:16 localBoth crew members escaped; North Tug later sank in the port.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence statusDescription
Uncommunicated change of planConfirmed findingThe change from moving Ocean Princess sideways to moving astern was not communicated to North Tug's skipper.
Inadequate risk assessmentConfirmed findingThe operation did not sufficiently assess the increased risk of using an uncertified workboat with a crew inexperienced in handling a cruise ship of Ocean Princess's size.
Towline and water on deckConfirmed findingNorth Tug was pulled astern with the towline over its stern; water entered the aft deck and transverse forces contributed to the capsize.
Emergency-release arrangementConfirmed findingThe workboat had no emergency tow-release mechanism operable from the wheelhouse.

Investigation

The Accident Investigation Board Norway published Marine Report 2014/06. It found that the change in manoeuvre, inadequate planning and risk assessment, poor communication, and insufficient knowledge of North Tug's limitations contributed to the capsize. The report records no injuries or deaths and states that North Tug sank.

References

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