Classification
- Incident Type: Tow capsize
- Severity: High
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Vessel Name | Sputnik |
| Vessel Type | Tug |
| Registered/displayed name | SPUTNIK / SPUTNIC |
| Registration number | T4251312 |
| Flag State | Finland [FI] |
| IMO Number | |
| Gross Tonnage | |
| LOA (m) | 7.5 |
| Breadth (m) | 2.5 |
| Bollard Pull (t) | |
| Power (kW) | 225 |
| Owner/Operator | AJ Gräv & VVS Öb |
| TEU | |
| Year Built | |
| Crew Size | 2 |
Towed equipment
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Equipment | Two-section pioneer raft carrying a Kobelco SK235 SRLC excavator |
| Raft length (m) | 13.55 |
| Raft breadth (m) | 8.0 |
| Raft capacity (t) | 40 |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|
| Date | 2009-05-29 |
| Location | Luoto (Larsmo), Finland |
| Coordinates | 63.8932, 22.8040 |
| Region | Baltic Sea |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Injuries | |
| Missing | |
| Cargo Loss | |
| Direct Damage | The towed raft capsized, the excavator sank and was badly damaged, and a small amount of oil leaked from the excavator. |
| Economic Damage | |
| Insured Loss | |
| Salvage/Cleanup Cost | |
Key facts
- Two persons were aboard SPUTNIC while it towed a two-section pioneer raft carrying a Kobelco excavator.
- The raft developed a slight list; at about 09:40, after one man entered the excavator cabin to adjust the boom, the raft capsized and the excavator sank upside down.
- The man was trapped in the excavator cabin and died after being underwater for approximately 45 minutes; a diver recovered him and resuscitation failed.
- The raft was worn and had holes in several tanks. The tug was inadequately equipped, and neither unit had been duly inspected.
- The investigators attributed the capsize to water entering the raft's tanks, reduced freeboard, and rapidly deteriorating stability.
Narrative
The Finnish Accident Investigation Board report B2/2009M describes SPUTNIC, a Finnish-registered pleasure boat used operationally as a tug, towing a two-section pioneer raft with a Kobelco excavator from Svartnäsgrynnan toward Kittsjöfärden in Luoto. Two persons were aboard. The raft developed a slight list near the Börsskärsgrynnorna islands. One man transferred to the raft and entered the excavator cabin to start the machine and try to correct the list by moving its boom.
At approximately 09:40, the raft capsized rapidly. The excavator sank upside down and the man was trapped in its cabin. The skipper called the emergency number. A rescue helicopter, fire services, ambulance, diver, and the rescue vessel PV OTTO MALM responded. The diver recovered the man after about 45 minutes underwater, but resuscitation was unsuccessful. The raft and tug drifted east and were anchored; the tug was later transferred to Luoto fishing harbour.
The investigators attributed the accident to weakened raft stability caused by water entering several tanks through the raft's poor condition. The resulting low freeboard deteriorated as more water accumulated; an open starboard pumping aperture submerged, the side tank filled, and the raft's stability failed. The report also found the raft worn with holes in several tanks and the tug inadequately equipped. SPUTNIC was not officially a tugboat, had no towing hitch, and the equipment had not been duly inspected. The excavator was badly damaged and a small amount of oil leaked from it.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|
| 2009-05-29 morning | SPUTNIC departed from Svartnäsgrynnan toward Kittsjöfärden while towing the excavator-loaded raft. |
| 2009-05-29 before 09:40 | The raft developed a slight list; one man boarded it and entered the excavator cabin to start the machine and adjust its boom. |
| 2009-05-29 about 09:40 | The raft capsized rapidly and the excavator sank upside down with the man trapped in its cabin. |
| 2009-05-29 about 09:40-10:25 | The skipper called for help; rescue units and a diver responded. The diver recovered the man after approximately 45 minutes underwater. |
| 2009-05-31 to 2009-06-29 | SPUTNIC, the raft, and the excavator were progressively moved ashore or to harbour for recovery. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|
| Water ingress through the raft tanks | Confirmed finding | The investigation found that water entered several tanks because of the raft's poor condition. |
| Reduced freeboard and submerged pumping aperture | Confirmed finding | As the raft took on water, its freeboard decreased; an open starboard pumping aperture became submerged and a side tank filled. |
| Inadequate equipment and inspection | Confirmed finding | The tug had no towing hitch, the raft was worn, and the equipment had not been duly inspected. |
Investigation
The Onnettomuustutkintakeskus / Accident Investigation Board Finland report B2/2009M investigated the accident and issued recommendations concerning the stability, maintenance, inspection, and operation of floating equipment. Its reconstruction identifies water ingress and the resulting loss of stability as the direct accident mechanism. The report does not establish an IMO number, gross tonnage, or a confirmed bollard-pull rating for SPUTNIC.
References
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