Containers falling from APL England (AMSA {photograph})
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched its remaining report into the May 2020 incident by which the containership APL England encountered hostile climate when making method down the east coast of Australia. It underwent a sequence of heavy rolls that resulted within the lack of 50 containers overboard, and shutdown of the principle engine.
The ATSB investigation discovered the ship’s fastened container securing preparations on deck have been in a poor state of restore and the power of many securing fixtures had been severely diminished by corrosion.
According to the manager abstract of the report, the ATSB discovered that APL England’s fastened container securing preparations on deck have been in a poor state of restore and the power of many securing fixtures was severely diminished by corrosion. In the seas encountered, the fittings failed, and containers have been misplaced overboard. The investigation additionally discovered that this situation would have taken a number of years of poor upkeep to develop. This, says ATSB, confirmed that the ship had not acquired the scrutiny from crewmembers, shore administration or different companies {that a} ship of its age or situation required. As a end result there was an elevated threat to the continued protected operation of the vessel, safety of the cargo carried, and security of crew members working across the containers.
The investigation discovered that procedures for hostile climate weren’t adopted. Had these procedures and related evaluation instruments been used, navigational and operational selections may have been made, which might have higher ready the ship for the situations encountered.
CORRECTIVE MEASURES
In addition to the repairs carried out on APL England, the ATSB has been suggested that the deck and container fittings in all different vessels within the APL fleet have been inspected and repaired as required. The firm additionally carried out improved vessel inspections and related reporting necessities for each ship and shore workers. APL assessed the protected stowage and carriage of excessive dice containers and carried out an inside security evaluation of the apply. As a end result, limits have been positioned on the numbers of excessive dice containers that might be loaded into bays fitted with cell guides, which restricted the extent to which containers protruded above the cell guides. Cargo securing manuals have been reviewed and up to date to incorporate the revised stowage preparations for prime dice containers.
Additionally, APL carried out extra security motion concerning passage planning and navigation in heavy climate and the broader CMA CGM Group and subsidiary entity fleets have been made conscious of those points and the protection actions taken in response to this investigation.
In July 2022 the classification society, DNV, up to date Class Guideline DNV-CG-0182 to incorporate a brand new part which offered necessities and steering on the allowable put on and tear of container supporting constructions and container securing gear.
“This incident should be a reminder to all ship masters and crews of the importance of adhering to the cargo securing manual, and of following specific procedures and guidance material ahead of – and during – adverse weather,” mentioned ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.
- As at all times, there’s much more within the full ATSB report, together with an account of how the ship dealt with the incident when it occurred. Download it HERE
