Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Hurtig

An investigation by the Accident Commission has unveiled critical findings surrounding the collision between the 'Bonden' and the 'Asian Breeze', which occurred on March 16, 2015, in Malmö. The report attributes the incident to a combination of poor planning, ineffective procedures, and high stress levels. During this unfortunate event, the car carrier 'Asian Breeze' collided with the Svitzers tug 'Bonden', resulting in damage to both vessels, though fortunately, no injuries were reported. The car carrier sustained significant damage to its bulbous bow, while the tug 'Bonden' faced extensive destruction to its propeller, propeller shaft, hull plates, and even the top of its smokestack. Following the accident, both ships were required to undergo repairs at a shipyard. A crucial revelation from the report indicates that 'Asian Breeze' operated without a functioning bow thruster, a detail unbeknownst to the pilot until he boarded the vessel. Had he been informed earlier, he would have opted to come aboard sooner and request assistance from two tugs instead of one. Initially, the 'Bonden' was directed to assist from the front of the 'Asian Breeze'; however, their first attempt was unsuccessful, and the collision occurred during a subsequent effort. Communication challenges were another significant factor in the incident. All interactions between the pilot and the tug were conducted in Swedish, yet the crew of the 'Asian Breeze' did not comprehend Swedish. The pilot attempted to translate their instructions to the tug crew, highlighting a potential language barrier that could have influenced the outcome. In light of these findings, the Accident Commission has proposed several recommendations. They advocate for the establishment of standardized national protocols for ship and tug communication, as well as the implementation of English as the universal language for pilotage operations. Additionally, there is a call for pilots to receive vital and timely information regarding any vessel deficiencies prior to embarking on their duties. For further insights, you can access the complete Swedish report here: http://www.havkom.se/assets/reports/RS2016_01_BONDEN.pdf