On Wednesday 16 April 2003, at about 1820, the motor tanker "Capella Voyager" grounded while entering Whangarei Harbour to berth at Marsden Point Oil terminal. The hull in the area of the forepeak tank was set up, creased and ruptured, water flooded into the forepeak tank.
The "Capella Voyager" subsequently berthed safely at the oil terminal where the cargo was discharged. Temporary repairs were effected and the forepeak pumped out at Marsden Point before the ship sailed for Singapore to complete permanent repairs. There was no discharge of oil into the environment.
Safety issues identified included:
· adequacy of provision of swell data for waters at the entrance to Whangarei Harbour
· adequacy of berthing limitations in adverse swell conditions
· adequacy of knowledge of a vessel’s physical movements over the vestigal bar in dynamic conditions.
In view of the safety actions taken by the Maritime Safety Authority, Northland Regional Council, Northport and North Tugz Limited no safety recommendations have been made.
