Green Lily (1997) | Novatug Maritime Wiki

Classification

Incident Type: Grounded
Severity: High

Grounding and total loss following loss of propulsion in severe weather.

Vessel Details

Field	Value
Vessel Name	Green Lily
Vessel Type	General Cargo
Flag State	Bahamas [BS]
IMO Number	7508324
Call Sign	C6MT3
Gross Tonnage	3624
LOA (m)	107.68
Breadth (m)
TEU
Year Built	1978
Crew Size	15

Incident Details

Field	Value
Date	1997-11-19
Location	East Coast of Bressay, Shetland Islands
Coordinates
Region	United Kingdom
Fatalities	1
Injuries
Missing	0
Cargo Loss
Direct Damage	Vessel grounded and broke up; total loss
Economic Damage
Investigation Body	Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Insured Loss
Salvage/Cleanup Cost

Key facts

Green Lily lost main-engine power in storm-force conditions while approaching the east coast of Bressay, Shetland Islands.
Engine-room flooding and failure to reset the mechanical overspeed trip contributed to the loss of propulsion.
Several towing attempts failed before the vessel grounded and became a total loss.
All 15 crew members were recovered, but a Coastguard helicopter winchman died during the rescue operation.
The reviewed investigation findings report no crew injuries; a separate total injury count for all persons involved is not established.

Narrative

On 18 November 1997, the Green Lily departed Lerwick. By the early hours of 19 November, she encountered severe storm force 10 conditions. A sea water supply line fractured in the engine room, leading to flooding. The main engine stopped at 0610, likely triggered by a mechanical over-speed trip that the crew failed to reset, leaving the vessel without propulsion. As she drifted towards the lee shore of Bressay, the tugs Gargano, Tystie, and Maersk Champion all made attempts to establish a tow. Gargano's tow parted, Tystie's failed due to winch issues and parted lines, and Maersk Champion's grapnel attempt on the anchor cable failed when the cable parted. A dramatic rescue ensued involving the Lerwick RNLI lifeboat and a Coastguard helicopter, successfully recovering all 15 crew members. However, during the final winch operation, a Coastguard helicopter winchman was swept into the sea by a large wave and lost his life. The Green Lily subsequently grounded and broke up.

Contributing factors

Factor	Evidence status	Description
Engine-room flooding	Confirmed finding	A fractured seawater supply line flooded the engine room before the main engine stopped.
Mechanical overspeed trip	Confirmed finding	The main engine's mechanical overspeed trip was not reset after activation, leaving the vessel without propulsion.
Storm-force conditions	Reported	The vessel drifted toward Bressay in severe weather described in the investigation findings as storm force 10.
Towing and anchor recovery	Confirmed finding	Multiple towing attempts failed, and attempts to recover or use the anchors did not prevent the grounding.

Investigation

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigated the loss in Report 5/99. Its findings identify the loss of main-engine power in severe weather as central to the casualty and discuss engine-room flooding, failure to reset the mechanical overspeed trip, and unsuccessful towing and anchor-recovery efforts as contributory factors. Green Lily became a total loss after grounding. The reviewed findings report no crew injuries, while the Coastguard helicopter winchman died during the rescue; a total injury count for all persons involved is not established.

References

MAIB Marine Accident Report 5/99 - mv Green Lily