Series of accidents including windlass damage, grounding and 1 person injured on ro-ro cargo ferry Norcape

Location: Operating in and around the Firth of Clyde and Troon Harbour, Scotland.

Accident Investigation Report 28/2012

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:

Norcape.pdf (3,404.40 kb)

Summary

On 26-27 November 2011 the ro-ro freight ferry Norcape suffered a number of accidents, including windlass damage, grounding and an accident to person while operating in and around Troon harbour, Scotland.

Safety lessons

  • no guidelines had been developed to assist the crew in determining operational weather limits for berthing in Troon
  • the harbour authority in Troon had not been involved with the vessel’s owner in considering her operation in adverse weather conditions
  • the harbour authority had not been involved with the vessel’s owner to develope any guidelines for the use of tugs to assist Norcape berthing in adverse weather

Recommendations

Recommendations (2012/154 and 2012/155) have been made to P&O Ferries regarding passage planning and its emergency response procedures. Recommendations have also been made to the harbour authority (2012/151 and 2012/152) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (2012/153) to review pilotage and Port Marine Safety Code compliance in Troon.

We have issued a safety flyer to remind mariners of the limitations of anchoring equipment.

This report was published on 20 December 2012.

Updates to this page

Published 23 January 2015