Skip to main content

Accidents

JMS Delta (2015)

JMS Delta, also identified in Chinese sources as WanShenzhou 67, capsized and sank during a high-speed turning trial on the Yangtze River in Jiangsu, killing 22 of the 25 people aboard; three survived.

Classification

  • Incident Type: Capsize not girding
  • Severity: High

Vessel Details

FieldValue
Vessel NameJMS Delta
Alternative NameWanShenzhou 67
Vessel TypeTug; azimuth stern drive tug
Flag StateSingapore [SG]
IMO Number9752462
Gross Tonnage368
LOA (m)29.36
Breadth (m)9.80
Power (kW)2942
Year Built
Owner/Operator
Crew Size

The IMO investigation list records a 2013 build year, while Chinese reporting describes the vessel as newly built and undergoing outfitting after being moved to Jingjiang in October 2014. The build year is therefore left unresolved.

Incident Details

FieldValue
Date2015-01-15
LocationNorth Fujiangsha Channel (Fubei Waterway), Yangtze River, Jiangsu, China
Coordinates32.0500, 119.9000
RegionChina
Fatalities22
Injuries
Missing
Survivors3
Cargo Loss
Direct Damage
Economic DamageCNY 31.8 million
Insured Loss
Salvage/Cleanup Cost

Key facts

  • Twenty-five people were aboard during the sea trial; three were rescued and 22 later died.
  • The casualty occurred in the North Fujiangsha Channel, also reported as the Fubei Waterway, on the Yangtze in Jiangsu.
  • The official IMO casualty list identifies the vessel as the Singapore-flagged JMS Delta, IMO 9752462, a 368-gross-ton propeller tug.
  • The Jiangsu investigation summary reported direct economic losses of CNY 31.8 million.
  • The investigation identified a full-speed, large-rudder-angle turn that produced a capsizing moment greater than the tug's righting moment, followed by flooding and sinking.

Narrative

JMS Delta was a newly built azimuth stern drive tug conducting sea trials on the Yangtze River in Jiangsu on 15 January 2015. Chinese reporting identified the vessel by its Chinese name, WanShenzhou 67, and stated that it had been built by Anhui Bengbu Shenzhou Machinery for a Singapore purchaser. The official IMO casualty list identifies the ship as Singapore-flagged, IMO 9752462, with a gross tonnage of 368 and a 2015 casualty location in the North Fujiangsha Channel of the Yangtze.

The vessel was carrying 25 people, including crew, shipyard personnel and foreign technical staff. Initial rescue reporting stated that two people were recovered soon after the capsize and a third survivor was freed from the overturned hull after rescuers cut an opening in the exposed bottom. The vessel was moved into shallower water and later righted and lifted. The final recovery operation accounted for 22 deaths, while three people survived. Public sources identify the survivors as Chinese nationals; no reliable incident-specific injury count has been identified.

The final Jiangsu investigation summary, published after the investigation was approved and closed, found that the tug was operating at full speed when a large rudder angle was applied. The resulting capsizing moment exceeded the vessel's righting moment; the tug then flooded and sank in the inverted position. The same findings identified failures in trial notification, preparation, training and lifesaving arrangements. The public summary does not establish the vessel's complete stability condition or resolve the conflicting build-year descriptions, so design or construction defects are not stated as causes here.

Sequence of events

Date/timeEvent
2015-01-15JMS Delta conducted sea trials in the North Fujiangsha Channel on the Yangtze River with 25 people aboard.
2015-01-15 15:38 localChina's submission to the IMO recorded the tug reaching a maximum trial speed of 13.4 knots after accelerating.
2015-01-15 15:40 localAt full power, a large steering angle caused a rapid port heel; the tug capsized, flooded and sank.
2015-01-16Two people were rescued immediately and a third survivor was freed from the overturned hull after a cutting operation. The wreck was moved toward shallow water.
2015-01-17The tug was righted and lifted; the final recovery operation established 22 deaths and three survivors.

Contributing factors

FactorEvidence statusDescription
High-speed large-angle turnConfirmed findingThe Jiangsu investigation summary found that the capsizing moment produced during full-speed operation with a large rudder angle exceeded the tug's righting moment.
Trial conducted without required notification and controlsConfirmed findingThe published findings state that the trial was not properly reported to the maritime authority, the AIS was switched off, and the required trial flag and movement report were not used.
Inadequate trial organization and trainingConfirmed findingThe investigation identified the absence of adequate trial briefings, emergency training and drills, and insufficient familiarity with the vessel's characteristics and equipment.
Overcrowding and lifesaving deficienciesConfirmed findingThe findings state that 25 people were aboard against a 22-person trial certificate limit, lifesaving equipment was insufficient, and at least 15 people were concentrated in the small wheelhouse.

Investigation

The Jiangsu Provincial Government accident investigation group investigated the casualty, and the Jiangsu Provincial Safety Committee's findings were reported as approved and closed in November 2015. The public summary identified the high-speed large-angle turn as the direct cause and described the trial-management, training, notification and lifesaving failures as indirect causes. It reported direct economic losses of CNY 31.8 million.

China subsequently submitted the casualty and lessons learned to the IMO. IMO records identify JMS Delta as a very serious marine casualty and record later committee consideration of the safety of azimuth stern drive tugs and the management of their sea trials. A complete public copy of the Chinese investigation report has not been located.

References

Similar incidents