Executive summary
On Wednesday 5 July 2000 at about 0900, the bulk carrier "Dorthe Oldendorff" departed from Chelsea Wharf in Auckland Harbour. The ship was under pilotage and its unberthing was assisted by 2 tugs: one port company tug and one contract tug. The ship was let go from the wharf and turned around into the channel in readiness to transit the harbour. While the skipper of the contract tug, "Mahia", was preparing to let go, weight came on the towline causing the tug to heel heavily. The towline parted and the "Mahia" rapidly righted itself, throwing the deckhand overboard.
Safety issues identified included:
• poor communication between the bridge team and the crew at mooring stations
• insufficient communication between the tug skipper and the pilot
• loss of situational awareness by the bridge team
• inability to quickly release the towline from the tug.
Safety recommendations were made to the Director of Maritime Safety with regard to the quick release of towlines.
Related Recommendations
draft an amendment to Rule Part 40C.60(b) [Design, Construction and Equipment - Non-Passenger Solas] for the consideration of the Minister to clarify the intent of the rule with regard to the requirements for positive means of quick release mechanisms for ships towing from bollards
draft an amendment to Rule Part 40C.60 Design, Construction and Equipment - Non-Passenger Solas] for the consideration of the Minister to include an additional requirement that ships towing in pilotage operations must be fitted with either a towing hook that has a positive means of quick release or a towing winch that has means of rapidly paying out when under load, either of which must be controllable from the conning positions and at the hook or winch.