Classification
- Incident Type: Grounded
- Severity: High
Vessel Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Kuzma Minin |
| Vessel Names | Kuzma Minin |
| Vessel Type | Bulk Carrier |
| Flag State | Russia [RU] |
| IMO Number | 7721263 |
| Gross Tonnage | 16257 |
| LOA (m) | 180.50 |
| Owner/Operator | JSC Murmansk Shipping Company, Russia |
| Year Built | 1980 |
| Persons on board | 18 |
Incident Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 2018-12-18 |
| Time | 05:25 |
| Location | Gyllyngvase beach, Falmouth, England |
| Coordinates | 50.1466, -5.0691 |
| Region | United Kingdom |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Missing | |
| Vessels sunk or lost | |
| Investigation Body | Marine Accident Investigation Branch |
| Direct Damage | Breached tanks, shell plate deformation, and partial bilge keel detachment |
| Economic Damage | |
| Environmental impact | No pollution occurred. |
Key facts
- Kuzma Minin dragged its port anchor in southerly winds exceeding 50 knots while anchored about one nautical mile off a lee shore.
- A discarded 28-metre chain fouled the port anchor and diverted attention from manoeuvring as the ship lost sea room.
- The bulk carrier grounded on Gyllyngvase beach at 0525 UTC and was refloated at 1415 the same day using local harbour resources.
- No one was injured and no pollution occurred, but the hull sustained breached tanks, shell deformation, and bilge keel damage.
- The absence of P&I insurance and limited owner support complicated the appointment of salvors and access to suitable response assets.
Narrative
The Russia-registered bulk carrier Kuzma Minin entered Falmouth Bay after shortages of bunkers and main-engine lubricating oil disrupted its intended voyage. On 17 December 2018, no replacement lubricating oil was delivered. Although southerly winds up to Beaufort force 8 were forecast, the master remained at anchor about one nautical mile off Gyllyngvase beach. He ordered the engine to be kept at immediate readiness if the wind exceeded 31 to 33 knots and discussed the risk of dragging anchor with the bridge watchkeepers.
By 0400 UTC on 18 December, gusts exceeded 52 knots, the swell was four to five metres, and the vessel was yawing. At 0425 the electronic chart system's anchor-watch alarm sounded as the port anchor began to drag. The chief officer promptly called the master, alerted the engine room, and informed the crew. The master ordered the anchor weighed and advised Falmouth port that he intended to proceed to sea.
The bosun began heaving at 0438. Shortly before 0500 the anchor was aweigh, but Kuzma Minin fell beam-on to the wind and gathered leeway toward the shore. A discarded chain was caught across the anchor's flukes. Believing the obstruction to be substantial and concerned that continued manoeuvring might damage the anchor gear or propeller, the master stopped manoeuvring while the crew tried unsuccessfully to clear it. At 0510 the ship was six cables from the beach and moving north at more than two knots. Full-ahead power and port rudder did not turn the ship clear of Pennance Point. The anchor was let go again at 0519 but failed to hold, and the ship grounded at 0525.
Falmouth Harbour activated its emergency plan and assembled local tugs and a workboat. Lines were secured by 1122, and the ship de-ballasted while the response vessels worked in heavy swell. Assisted by its own engine, Kuzma Minin refloated at 1415 and anchored south of Pendennis Point. A later survey identified badly holed and deformed shell plating, three breached tanks, and a partly detached starboard bilge keel. There were no injuries or pollution. The vessel was detained, later sold to meet its owner's debts, and its crew were repatriated.
Sequence of events
| Date/time | Event |
|---|---|
| 2018-12-18 04:00 UTC | Southerly winds were gusting above 52 knots, the swell was four to five metres, and Kuzma Minin was yawing at anchor. |
| 2018-12-18 04:25 UTC | The port anchor began to drag; the chief officer alerted the master, engine room, and crew. |
| 2018-12-18 04:38 UTC | The bosun began heaving the anchor while the master used the engine and rudder to check the vessel's movement. |
| 2018-12-18 05:00 UTC | The anchor was aweigh and was found fouled by a discarded chain as the ship fell beam-on to the wind. |
| 2018-12-18 05:19 UTC | The port anchor was let go again but did not hold. |
| 2018-12-18 05:25 UTC | Kuzma Minin grounded on Gyllyngvase beach. |
| 2018-12-18 14:15 UTC | Local tugs and a workboat, assisted by the ship's engine, refloated the bulk carrier. |
Contributing factors
| Factor | Evidence status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Resource shortages | Confirmed finding | Low bunkers and the absence of spare lubricating oil influenced the decision to remain at anchor on a lee shore despite the strong-wind forecast. |
| Severe weather and exposed condition | Confirmed finding | Winds above 50 knots, the vessel's in-ballast condition, and a four-to-five-metre swell caused the anchor to drag. |
| Fouled port anchor | Confirmed finding | A discarded chain fouled the anchor and the unsuccessful effort to clear it consumed time and sea room while leeway exceeded two knots. |
| Limited insurance and owner support | Confirmed finding | The lack of P&I insurance created payment concerns that hindered the appointment of salvage experts and access to an additional high-powered vessel. |
Investigation
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch published report 11/2019 in August 2019. It concluded that the vessel's resource shortages influenced the decision to remain at anchor, while severe weather, its in-ballast condition, and swell caused the anchor to drag. The report found that the bridge team detected the movement quickly and began putting to sea, but the fouled anchor interrupted that response. MAIB also found that Falmouth Harbour's same-day refloating operation was effective and recommended that the owner ensure its vessels had sufficient fuel and oils and maintained the required P&I insurance.