Classification
- Incident Type: Capsize girding
- Severity: High
- Primary evidence: Marine Accident Investigation Branch report
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Vessel Name | Trijnie |
| Vessel Type | Workboat/tug |
| Flag State | United Kingdom |
| IMO Number | |
| Gross Tonnage | 38 |
| LOA (m) | 15.70 |
| Year Built | 1976 |
| Crew Size | 2 |
| Assisting vessel | Tillerman, petroleum-products tanker, 7,686 GT |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Date | 1998-09-08 |
| Time | About 07:44 UTC+1; sank at 08:36 UTC+1 |
| Location | Approaches to Milford Docks, Milford Haven, Wales |
| Region | United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51.7100, -5.0400 |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | 1 |
| Missing | 0 |
| Direct damage | Trijnie capsized and sank; it was salvaged and refloated later that day |
| Economic damage | Not reported |
Key facts
- Tillerman was entering the lock for Milford Docks with Trijnie assigned as the stern tug.
- Trijnie attempted to move from Tillerman's starboard quarter to the port quarter while the towline remained attached.
- The tug had no gog rope, and the towing-hook release wire was not connected.
- The MAIB identified inadequate tasking and briefing, lack of coxswain experience for this stern-tug operation, and the absence of a suitable risk assessment as contributing factors.
- The coxswain survived. The other crewman died, and his body was later recovered from the tug.
Narrative
On 8 September 1998, the 15.7 m workboat/tug Trijnie was assigned as the stern tug for the 7,686 GT tanker Tillerman, which was moving from the Texaco oil terminal toward the lock for Milford Docks at Milford Haven. An easterly tidal stream was setting across the approach channel. The pilot told Trijnie's coxswain that the tug would be needed on Tillerman's port quarter. Trijnie was made fast with one of the tanker's mooring lines placed on the tug's towing hook. The coxswain attempted a peel-off turn from Tillerman's starboard quarter while still attached. After turning about 90° the tug would not turn farther, heeled to port, and began taking water over the after deck. The coxswain told the crewman to abandon ship and then jumped overboard. Trijnie capsized shortly afterward. The coxswain was rescued quickly, but the crewman was missing and later found inside the tug after it became partially exposed at low water. Trijnie eventually foundered at 08:36 and was salvaged and refloated later that day.
Sequence of events
| Date or time | Event |
|---|
| 1998-09-08, before 07:44 | Tillerman proceeded toward the Milford Docks lock with Trijnie assigned as stern tug. |
| About 07:44 UTC+1 | Trijnie turned to reposition from Tillerman's starboard quarter, then heeled and capsized. |
| Shortly afterward | The coxswain was rescued; the crewman was reported missing. |
| 08:36 UTC+1 | Trijnie sank in Milford Haven. |
| Later that day | Trijnie was salvaged, refloated, and taken into Milford Docks. |
Investigation
The MAIB identified the immediate cause as Trijnie's turn to starboard while changing position around a moving tanker. The turn caused the towline to tighten on the tug's port beam, producing girting, capsize, and sinking. The report found that no gog rope was rigged, the peel-off manoeuvre was made with the towline attached, and the emergency towing-hook release wire was not connected. It also identified inadequate briefing, a lack of coxswain experience in this type of stern-tug operation, an uninformed pilot, and no risk assessment for the operation. The engine-room hatch was not secured, which the report considered a factor that accelerated the foundering.
References
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