Each month the Club’s Loss Prevention department issues a new safety scenario to assist members in their efforts to comply with international safety regulations and to follow best practice.

Case Study

A vessel had been loading in a European port and the navigation officer fixed the passage plan for the next port of call which was in Mexico. Prior to departure the Master received a weather routeing voyage plan, which suggested a route over the Silver Bank and via the Windward Pass to Mexico.

Shortly after entering the Silver Bank the vessel’s bow suddenly swung to starboard, which caused a list for about 3 to 5 seconds, with excessive vibration. The OOW changed to hand steering. A couple of minutes later the vessel’s bow swung to starboard, but this time with less vibration. The vessel’s bow swung a third time to starboard and listed for about 3 seconds, with vibrations.

Read the full article on pages 4-5 in Triton No 3-2017