Read Authentic Ratings for the Flag-Mette

The Maritime Disciplinary Court has delivered a stern warning regarding the critical importance of safety at sea following a perilous incident involving the 'Eeborg' and the bulk carrier 'Flag Mette' on October 6, 2020, in Danish waters. The incident occurred when the second mate, assigned as officer of the watch, momentarily vacated his post to address personal discomfort. This absence left the lookout unsupervised on the bridge while the ship operated on autopilot. The lookout, who lacked adequate instruction and understanding of English, was unable to effectively monitor radio communications during this crucial time. The second mate, reporting that he experienced severe diarrhea, was away for a minimum of ten minutes. Upon his return, he realized he had missed an important VTS communication regarding the nearby 'Flag Mette.' In a last-minute effort, he manually steered the vessel to starboard, successfully averting a collision. In their findings, the Disciplinary Board expressed astonishment that the helmsman failed to observe the 'Flag Mette' prior to his departure from the bridge. An inquiry conducted by Danish authorities revealed that the vessel also strayed from its intended waypoint during the second mate's absence. The court emphasized the seriousness of the helmsman's actions, noting, "Given the busy and winding nature of the waterway, it was reckless to leave the bridge at such a critical moment. Moreover, it is perplexing that he did not arrange for a replacement, especially considering the necessity for continuous vigilance." The court underscored that while it is understandable for an officer of the watch to need a bathroom break, personal discomfort must never compromise maritime safety. Consequently, the Disciplinary Court has suspended the navigation license for eight weeks, with four weeks being conditional. The Board recommended that officers of the watch must ensure that it is safe to step away and that adequate lookout measures are in place before leaving their posts. Furthermore, they urged that if an officer feels unable to fulfill their duties due to health issues, they must proactively seek a replacement.

On December 21, 2016, the bulk carrier "Flag Mette", which had departed from Port Kamsar, was towed into the serene waters of the Bay of Douarnenez by the emergency tug "Abeille-Bourbon". Earlier, on the night of December 20, the vessel encountered a propulsion failure while navigating near Ouessant, prompting an urgent response. The tugboat, dispatched from Brest at 8:30 PM, managed to establish a towing connection by 4:00 AM the following morning. Following a secure mooring of the "Flag Mette", the "Abeille-Bourbon" made its way back to its home port at approximately 3:00 PM. Subsequently, the tug "Bremen Fighter" took over the towing operations, with the bulk carrier now en route to Stade/Bützfleth, with an estimated arrival date of December 27.