What Crew Members Say About Endurance

A comprehensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) has unveiled that worn-out mooring lines were to blame for the 'Endurance' breaking free from its docking position and colliding with a pier at the Port of Bremerhaven on March 13, 2021. The BSU report highlights that the primary cause of the mooring line failure stemmed from the failure to timely replace these lines, attributed to an inadequate safety management system. The incident occurred under challenging weather conditions, including offshore winds gusting up to 50 knots, which exacerbated the likelihood of mooring line failure despite the proactive measures taken by the ship's master. Moored starboard side when the mooring lines parted around 09:45 a.m., the master had been vigilant, acknowledging the forecast and recognizing the potential hazards of the deteriorating lines. At 09:24 a.m., he ascended to the bridge, responding to adverse wind conditions, and by 09:30 a.m., requested tug assistance while instructing deck officers to inspect the lines. Unfortunately, the mooring lines failed shortly afterward, prompting immediate action to drop the starboard anchor, start the main engine, and raise the vehicle ramp. However, before the tugs could arrive—eight minutes post-failure—'Endurance' had already drifted dangerously close to the Lloyd Werft dockyard, causing a collision. The damage sustained by the vessel included a crack above the waterline on the port side, a puncture in the bulbous bow, and dents along the starboard stern. Even the operator, ARC, confirmed the findings in their internal investigation, noting that only two of the 14 mooring lines were compliant with safety standards. In response to the findings of the BSU investigation, several preventive measures have now been instituted. The Port of Bremerhaven plans to implement berth analysis software, expected to roll out this year, which will provide timely alerts for vessel mooring assessments. Furthermore, starting January 1, 2024, new internationally binding guidelines will enforce stricter inspection and maintenance protocols for mooring gear worldwide, mandating that operators establish a robust procedure for mooring operations and maintenance of mooring equipment. This initiative aims to ensure that worn lines are detected and replaced before they compromise safety.

On the evening of August 29, 2018, an oil spill was reported in Port Arthur, Texas, following a collision between the tugboat "Savage Pathfinder" (IMO: 578286) and the vessel "Endurance" at Dock 4. Preliminary estimates indicated a discharge of approximately 13,272 gallons of marine diesel fuel into the water. Responding promptly, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Texas General Land Office (TGLO) were deployed to manage the situation. The leak source has since been secured, and a containment boom was established around the compromised vessel to limit the spread of the spill. Crews tirelessly worked through August 30 to recover the spilled fuel. An urgent marine information alert was issued to warn mariners navigating near Texaco Point and Port Arthur to exercise caution. By August 31, the "Endurance" was safely docked at the Port Arthur Refinery West. Investigations into the cause of the collision are currently ongoing.

In a significant operation coinciding with announcements from senior White House officials regarding the deployment of an additional 3,900 U.S. military personnel to Afghanistan, over 2,500 military vehicles have successfully arrived at the Port of Beaumont. This impressive fleet includes tan armored tanks and green camouflage trucks, which were transported via rail from Fort Riley, Kansas. On Tuesday, port staff began the crucial task of loading these vehicles onto the ship Endurance, which is poised to set sail for Central Europe. According to Major Joseph Komanetz, the next destinations for these vehicles will include Germany, Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary, although he refrained from disclosing their precise subsequent locations. These vehicles are part of the Second Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division, marking a vital move in the ongoing support and logistics efforts in the region.