The German-flagged car carrier PARANA was sailing from Emden in Germany to Dublin in Ireland on 9 December 2022 with a cargo of passenger cars. The vessel departed Emden at 23061. After the harbour pilot handed over pilotage to the sea pilot, the latter assumed immediate command of the vessel. In addition to the sea pilot, the bridge was manned by the master, the third officer2, a trainee acting as lookout and a helmsman during the period leading up to the accident. The vessel was being steered manually. The helmsman received helm orders directly from the sea pilot. Prior to passing buoy 48/Knock 2, where a course alteration of 23° to starboard was to be made, the sea pilot initiated a slight turn to starboard. To reduce or counteract this turn, at 235323 the sea pilot ordered “Port ten.” The helmsman acknowledged this accordingly. In fact, he put the helm on 10° to starboard. The sea pilot tried to compensate for the resulting increased turn to starboard by issuing the following orders: “Port twenty” and “Hard to port.” Again, the helmsman repeated the orders correctly but executed them incorrectly. The erroneous action was discovered at 235404. All subsequent measures failed to prevent the PARANA from grounding on the 5-metre contour line of the Mittelplate at 2356. The vessel was refloated by two tugs at 0130 on 10 December 2022 and returned to Emden under her own steam. Following confirmation of seaworthiness by the classification society, the PARANA departed the port of Emden for sea on the same day on the midday high water. This marine safety investigation report addresses the circumstances and implementation of bridge team management. The report contains safety recommendations for the PARANA’s shipping company.
REPORT
