Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Francisca

A recent report by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) highlighted that crew complacency might have influenced the loss of containers from the 'Francisca' off the Orkney Islands on October 31, 2020. While navigating the rough seas near Duncansby Head in the North Sea, the feeder vessel encountered severe storm conditions, leading to high wave action. As the 'Francisca' pitched in the heavy swells, water surged over the bulwarks, impacting the containers secured on deck. This scenario triggered a stack collapse, resulting in the loss of 34 containers, with only one being loaded—most of the cargo washed ashore was minor. Fortunately, both the ship and its crew emerged unscathed, managing to safely navigate to calmer waters. The MAIB's preliminary findings indicated that the 'Francisca' experienced reduced speed and heading control upon hitting each wave, which exposed its deck cargo to the oncoming green seas. This situation was sufficient to compromise the lashings and topple the containers. The investigation also pointed out that the ship's crew may have grown too comfortable with the challenging weather patterns typical on the route between Iceland and the Netherlands, perhaps underestimating the dangers posed by the storm. Furthermore, the report mentioned that corroded cargo lashing systems and the lack of a breakwater at the ship's bow could have also contributed to the unfortunate incident.

Following the unfortunate incident involving the cargo ship 'Francisca', which lost 33 containers in the Pentland Firth, maritime authorities have confirmed that the remaining missing containers are no longer deemed a threat to shipping activities. Recently, two of the 40-foot containers were discovered washed ashore on the southern coast of Hoy in Orkney. Among the lost cargo were essential items, including medical supplies and nicotine patches. The 'Francisca' has since docked at Uniport Terminal in Rotterdam, where it arrived on November 3 at 11 p.m.

On October 31, the cargo vessel 'Francisca' encountered a significant incident while navigating the North Sea near the Scottish coastline, resulting in the loss of 33 containers. Following the unfortunate event, the ship has now resumed its course towards Rotterdam, with an estimated time of arrival set for November 3. Out of the lost containers, 32 were reported to be empty, while one contained essential medical devices and components. Although several containers have been retrieved, adverse weather conditions continue to pose challenges in the recovery efforts. The vessel's insurer is liaising with British authorities to address the situation further. After the loss, 'Francisca' was seen maneuvering cautiously along the coast, assisted by a tugboat over the weekend, as crew members conducted safety inspections to ensure that no additional containers were at risk of falling off the ship, a precaution that confirmed stability in the cargo load.