MO-2002-204

On Sunday 14 July 2002, at about 1830, the coastal cargo ship "Kent" parted a mooring line while attempting to berth in storm force winds at Glasgow Wharf in Wellington Harbour. Subsequently, as the ship was proceeding back out into the harbour, it struck a pontoon and was holed below the waterline in way of the engine room. The engine room progressively flooded and the ship lost all power. The "Kent" anchored near Point Jerningham before being towed to the Overseas Passenger Terminal, where repairs were affected and the engine room pumped out.

Safety issues identified included:

· identification of significant risk for shipboard operations
· management of available personnel in order that tasks may be completed with minimum risk and maximum safety
· no watertight division between the engine room and the main vehicle deck

Safety recommendations were made to the Operations Manager of Strait Shipping Limited to address the safety issues.