Kirkella Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

On June 13, 2024, the findings of an accident investigation concerning a notable allision at King George Dock in Hull were made public. The incident, which occurred on June 24, 2022, involved the fishing trawler 'Kirkella' and the unmanned tugboat 'Shovette' (MMSI: 232031441). During the incident, the 'Kirkella' lost control of its propulsion system while docked, resulting in a collision with the 'Shovette'. This unfortunate event led to a breach of the tug's hull and starboard fuel tank, causing an estimated 7,000 litres of marine diesel oil to spill into the dock, raising alarm over environmental safety, though fortunately, no injuries occurred, and the 'Kirkella' sustained minimal damage. The investigation revealed that the pitch levers controlling the 'Kirkella'’s propulsion system were misaligned at the time of the control transfer from the bridge to the engine control room. Notably, the ship’s engineer did not verify the pitch lever status during this critical transition. Furthermore, the report indicated a lack of established procedures for such control changeovers, leading to confusion and potential hazards. In addition to identifying these procedural failings, it was noted that the classification society's regulations for remote engine control did not comply with international benchmarks. To address these concerns, the report contained several key recommendations: - Det Norske Veritas (DNV) should consider revising Unified Requirement M43.12 to enhance clarity. - Customers of the Rolls-Royce Helicon-X3 system ought to be informed that remote control station changeover can occur with non-matching levers and should reach out to the manufacturer for detailed advice. - Kongsberg Maritime will issue a service letter to its clientele, cautioning that mismatches in control levers during the changeover can significantly alter propelling thrust and offering guidance for operation and troubleshooting. Alongside the report, a safety flyer has been disseminated across the shipping sector, highlighting the risks associated with misaligned propeller pitch levers during control transitions and proposing various mitigation strategies.