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A recent investigation by Hark Ocke Diederichs from the Directorate-General for Waterways and Marine has concluded that human error was the primary reason for the allision involving the vessel "Red 7 Alliance," now known as the "DSV Alliance," which occurred at the southern lock of the Kiel Canal in Brunsbüttel on January 17, 2015. The incident, which took place at 9:42 AM, resulted in over €750,000 in damages when the ship collided with the lock gate, suffering significant damage to the bow beneath the waterline. Despite initial assessments, technical failures in the ship's control systems were ruled out as contributing factors to the vessel unexpectedly accelerating upon entering the lock. The "Red 7 Alliance" was en route from Great Yarmouth to Mukran on the island of Rügen. Interestingly, approximately one hour prior to the allision, the ship could have maneuvered into the larger northern lock. However, due to limited visibility caused by the sizable helicopter deck, the pilot opted for the southern lock instead. Initially, operations appeared to go smoothly, with the ship's front and stern lines secured over the bollards. At a distance of just 50 meters from the lock gate, the vessel was anticipated to come to a halt. Instead, it accelerated, leading to the unfortunate collision. The ship is equipped with two steering propellers for enhanced maneuverability; ideally, both must be rotated 180 degrees to create a reverse thrust. However, one of the driving levers was inadvertently set to autopilot mode, which caused it to push forward. Meanwhile, the other lever, which was operated manually, provided insufficient reverse thrust. The crew overlooked this autopilot setting, which had been adjusted previously on the starboard propulsion control. The maritime investigation report clearly attributes the accident to improper operation of the starboard propulsion system. Although corrective actions by the crew may not have prevented the allision, it was recommended that the manufacturer develop technology capable of alerting operators to such errors in operation. For further details, the full German report complete with photographs is available at the following link: http://www.bsu-bund.de/SharedDocs/pdf/DE/Unfallberichte/2016/Untersuchungsbericht_16_15.pdf?__blob=publicationFile

The repairs on the 'Red 7 Alliance' have officially concluded at Lindenau Yard located in Kiel-Friedrichsort, marking a successful turnaround on January 31. The ADM Group shipyard undertook an intensive two-week refurbishment, including essential repairs and a fresh coat of paint, all managed within its Dock 11. Fleet Manager John Long of Vessel Management Services (VMS) commended the Lindenau team's 'swift and committed response,' highlighting their adaptability to the unforeseen circumstances surrounding the ship's unexpected arrival and the initially unclear scope of work needed. After completing the necessary repairs, the vessel set sail at 8 a.m., heading for Great Yarmouth, with an estimated time of arrival on February 2. For more details and photos, visit the following links: http://www.motorship.com/news101/shiprepair-and-conversion/lindenau-tackles-canal-accident-ship http://schiffs-fotos.de/wp/?p=258.

The offshore vessel 'Red 7 Alliance' arrived at Lindenau Yard in Kiel-Friedrichsort on January 19 at 4 p.m. for necessary repairs following an incident that occurred during its transit through the Kiel Canal. The ship departed from the South Quay in Brunsbüttel on January 18 at 5 p.m., assisted by the German tug 'Wulf' (IMO: 9036260). The canal locks will remain inoperative at least until the end of the month due to the damage sustained, which is estimated to exceed €100,000. Divers were deployed to investigate the conditions on board, discovering that the engine room was flooded as a result of a ruptured hose. Efforts will be made to float the gate and conduct repairs on-site, as no replacement gate is available; one is currently in repair in Kiel, while another remains out of service. For detailed visuals and further updates, check out the German news coverage and media sources available here: [NDR News](http://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/Nach-Havarie-Das-war-Glueck-ihttp://www.shz.de/lokales/norddeutsche-rundschau/nach-havarie-schleusenkammer-in-brunsbuettel-gesperrt-id8723781.htmlm-Unglueck,nok234.html), [Forum Schiff](http://www.forum-schiff.de/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=39#p111393), [NOK Photography](http://www.nok-photography.de/red7-alliance/).