Working Conditions Aboard the Julietta-D

In a significant update regarding maritime safety, Transport Malta’s Marine Safety Investigation Unit has unveiled a comprehensive investigation report focusing on the alarming incident involving the cargo vessel 'Julietta D'. The event occurred on January 31, 2022, while the ship was anchored in Ijmuiden Anchorage Area no. 7, utilizing both its port anchor and main engine to maintain position. However, the situation swiftly escalated when the 'Julietta D's heading dramatically changed, leading to a perilous drift southward towards the nearby anchored vessel, 'Pechora Star'. In a matter of moments, the 'Julietta D' collided with the 'Pechora Star', making contact with its bow, and subsequently sliding along the port side of the hit vessel until they cleared each other. The collision resulted in two breaches in the 'Julietta D's engine-room, allowing water ingress. Following this, the vessel began to drift uncontrollably into a windfarm area that was still under construction. Prompt action was taken, and the crew of 'Julietta D' was airlifted from the ship just after hitting the transition section of the windfarm. Attempts to salvage the stranded vessel commenced shortly after. Unmanned and without command, the ship collided with another structure within the windfarm. The salvage tug, 'Sovereign', was dispatched and reached the vessel's location at approximately 3:50 p.m. local time. However, while securing the towing line, two crew members on board 'Sovereign' suffered severe injuries due to an unexpected wave surging over the main deck. Eventually, the 'Julietta D' was successfully towed to the port of Rotterdam, arriving at the port limits on February 1 at 2 p.m. Investigations revealed that the port anchor, along with ten shackles of chain, had settled on the seabed near the vessel's new anchorage position. This evidence indicated that rather than dragging her anchor, 'Julietta D' had actually lost her port anchor, causing her to drift uncontrollably towards 'Pechora Star'. The report highlights that a broken port anchor cable, compounded by a light ballast condition creating a larger windage area, greatly diminished the ship's maneuverability. The captain and crew believed the vessel was dragging its anchor, leading to confusion during the critical moments of drift. Data analysis suggested that the main engine had been functioning properly during the incident, ruling it out as a contributing factor to the accident. However, it likely ceased operation upon impact with 'Pechora Star', as the propeller struck the latter’s anchor cable. Consequently, the captain faced an urgent decision due to water ingress into the engine-room, prompting him to shut down the engine to prevent further electrical damage. The timing for the tug to arrive posed additional challenges, particularly as the 'Sovereign' was located about 25 nautical miles away and dealing with adverse weather conditions. Internal communication aboard the tug was compromised in the rough seas, leading to injuries to crew members as a result of an unforeseen wave. Fortunately, the 'Julietta D' retained sufficient buoyancy, allowing salvage teams to safely secure the vessel in port. This report from Transport Malta serves as a crucial reminder of the intricate challenges faced in maritime navigation and highlights the importance of swift response and effective communication in crisis situations.

In a significant transaction, Woodstreet has finalized the sale of their Handysize sister ships, 'Seas 5' and 'Seas 11', to buyers in the Netherlands. Both vessels, constructed at Zhejiang Ouhua Shipyard in China, have maritime histories dating back to 2012 and 2013, respectively. 'Seas 5', built in 2012, underwent dry docking in April 2020, while her sister ship, 'Seas 11', was dry docked in October 2020. Each of these vessels was sold for an impressive USD 11 million, marking a notable event in the shipping sector.