Dragging anchor and grounding of ro-ro passenger ferry Stena Alegra

Location: Off Karlskrona, Sweden.

Accident Investigation Report 12/2014

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

StenaAlegra.pdf (833.66 kb)

Stena Alegra

Summary

At 1851 (UTC+1) on 28 October 2013, the RoPax ferry Stena Alegra grounded after dragging its anchor in 76 knot winds off Karlskrona, Sweden.

The vessel’s bottom plating and frames were damaged, and one ballast tank and one void space were flooded. Two tugs towed the vessel off the rocks after the weather had moderated the next day. Following an underwater inspection the vessel proceeded to Gdynia, Poland, for repair.

Safety lessons

  • the master had decided to anchor the vessel in winds that were forecast to increase to the assumed maximum design limit of its anchoring equipment without completing a full assessment of the consequent risks

  • the wind speed rose to above that forecast, causing the vessel to drag its anchor. Measures aimed at arresting the vessel’s drift failed to prevent Stena Alegra from running aground

Recommendations

Recommendations have been made to the vessel’s manager, Northern Marine Management Ltd, to enhance its safety management system requirements for anchoring, including contingency planning, and the enhancement of masters’ handover procedures.

Published: 9 May 2014

Published 23 January 2015