Working Conditions Aboard the One-Falcon

The bulk carrier 'Panamax Alexander' has been identified as the primary cause of two significant collisions in the Suez Canal, occurring just 13 hours apart, according to a ruling issued by a London judge. The incidents unfolded on July 16, 2018, when the vessel failed to secure itself properly after an earlier accident. As a convoy of northbound ships approached, the 'Panamax Alexander' swung out from its moorings during a critical moment on one of the canal's narrow sections. The container ship 'NYK Orpheus' nearly avoided collision but was unable to stop in time due to its speed and lack of sufficient lookout, as noted by Mr. Justice Andrew Baker in a decision from the Admiralty Courts of London. The 'Panamax Alexander' had sustained damage to its propeller and rudder the day before during a collision involving three vessels, causing it to moor at the canal's side. Despite this damage, the Suez Canal Authority authorized the convoy to pass the damaged vessel along with two tugs that were meant to tow it. While two ships successfully navigated the area, the third vessel's excessive speed resulted in the 'Panamax Alexander' breaking its mooring. This unfortunate event led to the stern of the bulk carrier protruding into the canal and being struck by the 'NYK Orpheus', which inflicted damage to a cargo hold and ballast tank. The judge found that the crew of the 'Panamax Alexander' acted negligently by utilizing only six mooring lines instead of the appropriate ten, and they failed to promptly raise the alarm as the situation deteriorated. The ruling emphasized that the inadequate mooring of the 'Panamax Alexander' was the fundamental reason for the ensuing chaos and constituted a serious lapse in seamanship. Had the vessel been anchored correctly, it would not have posed a danger to the 'NYK Orpheus'. In a prior court ruling in 2020, the 'Panamax Alexander' was deemed fully responsible for the initial collision, which transpired after another vessel in the convoy ran aground due to mechanical issues. Legal representatives for the bulk carrier argued that the container ships in the convoy should have delayed their passage until the troubled vessel was safely towed away, and they contended that both 'NYK Orpheus' and 'NYK Falcon' (now renamed 'One Falcon') were speeding. On November 11, 2022, Justice Baker ruled that both the 'Panamax Alexander' and the 'NYK Orpheus' would each bear 42% of the damages incurred by the other vessel involved. Although the 'NYK Falcon' was found to have a lesser role, it was ordered to contribute 17% towards the damages of the bulk carrier. The judge also raised concerns regarding the seamanship displayed by the three vessels, highlighting that officers appeared passive and inadequately in command, as they followed the Suez pilots' instructions without question. Additionally, safety concerns raised by the pilots about navigating past the 'Panamax Alexander' were not effectively communicated to the ship's officers due to language barriers.