The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) issued an investigation report, concerning the grounding of the passenger ferry “Royal Iris of the Mersey” on Mersey river, UK, in July 2016. The report also includes what happened and safety lessons learned, in order to prevent similar incidents of occurring in the future.
The incident
On 10 July 2016, the domestic passenger ferry Royal Iris of the Mersey (Royal Iris), with 66 passengers and 9 crew on board, grounded on the submerged remains of a mooring dolphin when approaching Eastham locks at the entrance to the Manchester Ship Canal. Both of the ferry’s engines stopped but the crew quickly let go an anchor. The ferry’s starboard engine was soon re-started but its port engine was disabled. The port propeller, shaft, stern seal and rudder were damaged. A minor flood in the shaft space was contained using onboard equipment and the ferry was able to safely manoeuvre and make fast alongside another vessel on a nearby quay. There were no injuries and there was no pollution.
Safety issues
- Navigation by eye is not always accurate. More accurate means of monitoring are sometimes required
- The vessel was not equipped with an electronic chart display and the paper charts used were not referred to
Conclusions
- Royal Iris struck a submerged derelict dolphin when the bridge team were navigating solely by eye and incorrectly assessed that the ferry was in safe water.
- The adjustment of the ferry’s usual approach to Eastham lock to take account of the departing dredger reduced the margin for navigational error.
- The bridge team’s attention was focused on the dredger, which led to reduced spatial awareness.
- The crew’s actions following the grounding were immediate and effective.
- The information shown on the UKHO chart of the area with regard to the status of the dolphins was inaccurate, but this did not contribute to the accident.
Explore more at the official report herebelow: