The Msc-Luciana: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In the early hours of November 21, 2023, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Tianjin received an urgent alert regarding a maritime collision in the Bohai Sea. The incident involved the container vessel 'MSC Luciana' and the Chinese cargo ship 'Sulianhaiji 0118' (MMSI: 413021521), occurring seven miles off the Caofeidian port. The 'MSC Luciana' had just departed Tianjin, en route to Busan, when the collision transpired a mere two to three hours later. The impact left the 'Sulianhaiji 0118' with a significant hull breach on the starboard side amidships, resulting in severe water ingress. The search and rescue vessel 'Bei Hai Jiu 119' (IMO: 9763447) was dispatched to provide assistance to the damaged freighter. Remarkably, all 16 crew members aboard the 'Sulianhaiji 0118' are reported safe. Further coverage, including a detailed video report and animation, can be found at the following links: [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw38cHuODJ0) and [News Article](http://www.yinhang123.net/zixun/dujia/2017/1123/1103588.html).

On January 11, 2013, the container ship MSC Luciana experienced a severe incident at the Ngqura Harbour in Durban when it broke free from its moorings amid gale-force winds. Despite securing approximately 22 mooring lines to bollards, the vessel struggled to add extra moorings in time to counteract the powerful gusts. As the situation escalated, the bow lines began to snap, and the tugboat assigned to assist was insufficiently powerful due to the ship's size and windage area. With mounting pressure, the stern lines ultimately failed, propelling the MSC Luciana into a collision course with the Finger Jetty across the harbour. The vessel struck the oil tanker Marlin, which was being towed into Algoa Bay after experiencing mechanical issues off the south coast. As the MSC Luciana veered towards the quay, the Durban-based pilot boat Orient was unable to escape the incoming container ship's path. Although the hull of the pilot boat sustained minimal damage, its upperworks were severely impacted by the collision. Additionally, the weight and size of the MSC Luciana forced the harbour tug onto the east quay, highlighting the overwhelming force of the situation. The incident transpired after cargo operations had ceased due to wind speeds surpassing 70 km/h, which ultimately reached around 155 km/h. One crew member aboard another container vessel sustained injuries when struck by a snapping mooring line, resulting in a broken leg. Following the accident, MSC Luciana departed Durban on January 13, with its next destination being Colobo, where it arrived on January 22. For further information and photographs related to the incident, visit the following links: [Port News - January 11, 2013](http://www.ports.co.za/news/news_2013_01_11_01.php#zero), [Port News - January 15, 2013](http://ports.co.za/news/news_2013_01_15_01.php), [Port News - February 1, 2013](http://ports.co.za/news/news_2013_02_01_01.php).

On September 19, 2023, at 4:55 PM, the container ship MSC Luciana, which had grounded near Cadsand on the Wester Scheldt close to Wielingen, was refloated with the assistance of an impressive fleet of 10 tugs from Multraship and URS. This operation included notable tugs such as the Multratug 6, 10, 11, 16, and 17, along with the Gent, Union Grizzly, Emerald, and Smit Tiger, successfully pulling the vessel off the bottom during a second salvage attempt. The MSC Luciana was subsequently escorted to Zeebrugge for thorough inspections. The initial recovery attempt, made earlier that day at 8:30 AM, had been unsuccessful due to engine issues that caused the vessel to become stuck while maneuvering out of the waterway. For more details and visuals of the incident, see the Dutch reports with accompanying photos: [ED.nl](http://www.ed.nl/nieuws/algemeen/binnenland/9510045/Groot-schip-vastgelopen-op-Westerschelde.ece), [PZC.nl](http://www.pzc.nl/regio/zeeuws-vlaanderen/9512549/Containerschip-Luciana-vlotgetrokken-op-Westerschelde.ece), and [Tugspotters](http://www.tugspotters.com/dev/spots.php?itemid=40724#.Tnch-qhYfOQ.twitter). A video of the grounding can also be viewed on [Omroep Zeeland](http://www.omroepzeeland.nl/video/schip-vastgelopen-op-westerschelde#.TndfD9R5HrI).