Contact made by passenger/ro-ro cargo ferry Finnarrow with berth and its subsequent flooding

Location: Holyhead Port, Wales.

Accident Investigation Report 24/2013

Investigation report into marine accident including what happened, safety lessons and recommendations made.

Finnarrow.pdf (521.93 kb)

Summary

On 16 February 2013, the port fin stabiliser of the passenger/ro-ro cargo ferry Finnarrow made contact with the berth as it arrived at Holyhead, Wales. The hull was punctured and led to flooding in the pump room. All passengers were disembarked, cargo was unloaded and the vessel’s onboard services crew were sent ashore.

Finnlines Ship Management implemented improvements to its safety management system.

Safety lessons

  • the procedures for pre-arrival checks were inadequate
  • the crew lacked sufficient familiarity with the vessel’s equipment and emergency procedures

Recommendations

Recommendations (2013/242, 243 & 244) have been made to improve awareness of the status of the vessel’s fin stabilisers and ensuring crews are properly prepared to deal effectively with emergencies.

Published: 22 November 2013

Published 23 January 2015