Contact and grounding of ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Kent
Location: Port of Calais, France.
Accident Investigation Report 3/2019
Investigation report into marine accident including what happened, safety lessons learned and actions taken:
Image: REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol
Summary
On 10 December 2017, the UK registered ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Kent struck a jetty and then grounded while departing Calais, France. The ferry was re-floated later that day and subsequently moved to a berth where the passengers disembarked. The ferry’s starboard propeller and tail-shaft were damaged and required repair in dry dock. The jetty was also damaged. There were no injuries to crew or passengers and no pollution.
Safety lessons
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control of the ferry during the turn towards the harbour entrance was lost due to the fast rate of turn, strong gale-force winds, use of full rudder and propeller pitch, and the tripping of one of the ferry’s bow thrusters
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the omission of a departure briefing to the bridge team contributed to the master not being fully supported, and the helm not being closely monitored
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the occasional tripping of bow thrusters and reduced engine speed and shaft speeds were associated with fuel pump issues experienced following a change to ultra-low sulphur fuel
Recommendations
In view of the actions already taken by P&O Ferries Limited, no safety recommendations have been made.