Hebridean-Princess

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the girting and capsize of the tug 'Biter' with the loss of two lives while assisting the 'Hebridean Princess' off Greenock on Feb 24, 2023. At 3.27 p.m. that day, the twin screw conventional tug turned over, while being attached to the stern of the ferry, which was making its approach to James Watt Dock. The 'Biter'’s two crew were unable to escape from the vessel and lost their lives. The marine pilot’s training had not prepared them to work with conventional tugs. The Master/pilot and pilot/tug exchanges were incomplete and, with no shared understanding of the plan, the ferrie's master and the tug masters were unable to challenge the pilot’s intentions. The speed of the ferry placed significant load on the tug’s lines, and almost certainly caused the gob rope to render. It did not prevent the tug being girted, and the tug’s rapid capsize meant the crew had insufficient time to release its towlines .An open hatch compromised the tug’s watertight integrity and limited the crew’s chance of survival. The MAIB said that it was important for the vessel’s master, marine pilot and the tug crew to: • have a detailed understanding of the plan for the employment of the tugs; • remember that a small increase in speed can result in a large increase in the force acting on the towlines, escalating the risk of something going wrong; • ensure that the tug’s gob rope is correctly rigged; • keep the tug’s doors and hatches closed during towing operations. Recommendations (2024/157 to 2024/166) have been made to Clyde Marine Services Ltd., the tug’s owners, to: review its safety management system and risk assessments to provide clear guidance on the rigging of the gob rope; the safe speed to conduct key manoeuvres; and, to adopt a recognised training scheme for its tug masters. Recommendations have also been made to the Clydeport Operations Ltd. to commission an independent review of its marine pilot training and to risk assess and review its pilot grade limits and tug matrix, and to professional associations representing pilots, harbour masters, and tug owners to develop appropriate guidance on the safety issues raised in this report. MAIB Safety bulletin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByT__4koEbc

The UK MAIB has issued an investigation report on the incident of the girting and capsize of the tug 'Biter', while assisting the 'Hebridean Princess' on Feb 24, 2023. At 3.27 p.m., the twin screw tug capsized off Greenock, while attached to the stern of the 'Hebridean Princess', which was making its approach to James Watt Dock. The two crew members of the tug were unable to escape from the vessel and lost their lives. The investigation found that the accident happened because the tug was unable to reverse direction to operate directly astern of the 'Hebridean Princess' before the tug’s weight came onto the towing bridle and, when this happened, the tug’s gob rope did not prevent it from being towed sideways. The investigation also found that the 'Hebridean Princess'’s speed meant the load on the 'Biter'’s towlines was between two and five times greater than at the port’s recommended speed range. Thereafter, given the tug’s rapid capsize, it was unlikely that the tug crew had sufficient time to operate the emergency tow release mechanism. Once the tug was inverted, the open accommodation hatch might have prevented air from being trapped inside the wheelhouse, potentially limiting the crew’s chance of survival. The investigation also found that the master/pilot and pilot/tug information exchanges were incomplete and that the opportunity to correct the pilot’s assumption about Biter’s intended manoeuvre was lost. Further analysis indicated that the training provided had not adequately prepared the pilot for their role and that it was likely the tug master did not fully appreciate the risks associated with the manoeuvre. Full report: https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/UKMAIB-Biter-HebrideanPrincess-2024_11.pdf

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published an interim investigation report into the capsize of the tug 'Biter' while assisting the 'Hebridean Princess' near Greenock, Inverclyde, on Feb 24, 2023, in which George Taft, 65, of Greenock and Ian Catterson, 73, of Millport, drowned as they were unable to escape the tug, which was upturned in the water for 35 minutes before it sank. The report said the tug ‘girted and capsized’ while approaching the James Watt Dock amid good visibility, high water and a slack tidal stream. The tug’s towing arrangement, its watertight integrity, the training and experience of the personnel involved and the management of towing operations within the port have all been considered during its investigations. The MAIB report found there was no damage to the 'Hebridean Princess' which had 45 passengers on board at the time of the incident. Report with photo: https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/tugboat-capsized-river-clyde-killing-28845668

Police divers have surveyed the sunken tug 'Biter' on the bed of the Clyde off Custom House Quay on March 2. Force boats along with other vessels were spotted working at the site of the tragic accident in the afternoon. Officershave started a survey of the sunken vessel as part of their ongoing investigation work. Greenock man George Taft, 65, and Ian Catterson, 73, from Millport perished during the sinking on Feb 24.