TYR (2008) | Novatug Maritime Wiki

Classification

Incident Type: Capsize girding
Severity: High

Vessel Details

Field	Value
Vessel Name	TYR
Vessel Type	Tug
Flag State
IMO Number
Gross Tonnage
LOA (m)

Incident Details

Field	Value
Date	2008-07-11
Location	AROS Maritime A/S floating dock, Aarhus Harbor, Denmark
Coordinates	56.1496, 10.2134
Region	Other
Fatalities	0
Injuries
Missing	0
Vessels Lost	1
Direct Damage
Economic Damage

Key facts

TYR and THOR, described as minor tugs, were towing WATERLILLY from the AROS Maritime A/S floating dock during sea trials.
The planned operation was to sway WATERLILLY through 180 degrees, tow it to a specified position, and release it from the tow.
After the sway was completed, WATERLILLY's master engaged the propellers while TYR remained connected, pulling the tug abeam and causing it to capsize.
TYR's crew fell overboard and were rescued immediately. The available report does not state whether they sustained injuries.
TYR was lost. No official economic-damage estimate has been identified.

Narrative

During sea trials at AROS Maritime A/S in Aarhus Harbor, THOR and TYR towed the motor yacht WATERLILLY from the floating dock. The intended manoeuvre was to turn the yacht through 180 degrees, move it to a specified position, and then release the tow.

After the turn had been completed, WATERLILLY's master engaged the propellers before TYR had been released. TYR was pulled abeam, capsized, and was lost. Its crew went overboard and were rescued immediately.

The investigating division attributed the accident to inadequate safety planning, imprecise communication, premature propeller engagement, limited azimuth-propulsion experience, unexpected manoeuvring-system behaviour, and inappropriate changes to TYR's tow-hook quick-release mechanism. The summary does not state whether any crew member was injured or provide an economic-loss estimate.

Sequence of events

Date/time	Event
2008-07-11	THOR and TYR towed WATERLILLY from the AROS Maritime A/S floating dock during sea trials.
2008-07-11	WATERLILLY was swayed through 180 degrees as part of the planned manoeuvre.
2008-07-11	Before TYR was released from the tow, WATERLILLY's master engaged the propellers.
2008-07-11	TYR was pulled abeam, capsized, and its crew were rescued immediately after going overboard.

Contributing factors

Factor	Evidence status	Description
Safety planning	Confirmed finding	The investigating division identified inadequate safety planning of the tow manoeuvre.
Communication	Confirmed finding	Communication between the masters of WATERLILLY and TYR was imprecise.
Propeller engagement	Confirmed finding	WATERLILLY's master engaged the propellers while the yacht remained connected to the tow.
Azimuth-propulsion experience	Confirmed finding	WATERLILLY's master lacked experience and knowledge of azimuth propulsion.
Manoeuvring-system behaviour	Confirmed finding	The azimuth-propulsion manoeuvring system did not function as WATERLILLY's master expected.
TYR tow-hook release	Confirmed finding	Changes to TYR's tow-hook quick-release mechanism were inappropriate.

Investigation

The Division for Investigation of Maritime Accidents concluded that inadequate planning and imprecise communication contributed to the accident, alongside premature propeller engagement, the yacht master's limited azimuth-propulsion experience, unexpected manoeuvring-system behaviour, and inappropriate changes to TYR's tow-hook quick-release mechanism. It recommended that AROS Maritime A/S review towing procedures, ensure tow hooks comply with applicable regulations, and require tug crews to wear life jackets.

References

The Division for Investigation of Maritime Accidents report: TYR capsize/loss, 11 July 2008