SAGA SKY

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MAIB Report: Saga Sky should have sought shelter' off Dover

The "Saga Sky" that was blown sideways by gale force winds before hitting the barge "Stema Barge II" in Novmber 2016 should have sought shelter, an investigation has found. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said weather forecast receiving equipment was defective. The "Saga Sky"'s master had underestimated the risk of the weather overpowering the vessel. The "Saga Sky" had passed through the Dover Strait heading south west in the early hours of 20 November when the weather deteriorated rapidly as Storm Angus approached, the MAIB said. As the winds increased to severe gale force nine, the ship failed to make any headway. The master made repeated, but unsuccessful attempts to turn the ship around to starboard to run with the prevailing weather. However, the wind caught the ship's superstructure and the vessel was pushed sideways towards the coast. At about 08:55 a.m., the "Saga Sky" hit the moored unmanned and unpowered barge, which was laden with 25,000 tonnes of rocks to be used for sea defences. The MAIB concluded the "Saga Sky"'s weather forecast receiving equipment was defective, limiting the vessel's ability to receive live weather information. "In not acting on the forecast of deteriorating weather conditions, Saga Sky's master underestimated the risk of the weather overpowering the ship. Consequently, he chose to continue on passage rather than attempt to seek shelter on the eastern side of Dover Strait until the storm had passed through. Even if Saga Sky had avoided Stema Barge II, it is likely that it would have grounded on the UK coast within a further 30 minutes." The ship's owners, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management, said it was offering more guidance to crews on the effects of wind on a ship's performance. Report with photos and video: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-kent-43403149

Repairs of collision damage completed

The "Saga Sky" which had been under repair at Damen Arno Dunkerque after the collision with the "Stema Barge" since Nov 20, 2016, left Dunkirk on Jan 24 at 11 p.m. bound to Santos, ETA Feb 14.

Salvage operation completed

On Nov 20 around 10 a.m., the Dover MRCC, which coordinated the salvage operation of the "Saga Sky" after the collision with the "Stema Barge II" requested the French authorities and asked them to dispatch a tug. The Maritime Operations Center (COM) Cherbourg, in liaison with the CROSS Gris-Nez, deplyed the "Abeille Languedoc" from Boulogne-sur-Mer accordingly. At around 10:50 a.m., the British authorities evacuated part of the crew by helicopter. At the same time, the COM Cherbourg alerted, as a preventive measure, a Dauphin helicopter of the French Navy stationed at Le Touquet, and the anti pollution ship "VN Sapeur", stationed at Brest. In the afternoon, the British authorities asked their French counterparts to send an assessment and intervention team on board the bulkcarrier to assess the situation on board and provide technical expertise on the risks incurred by the vessel. The evaluation team's report confirmed the importance of the gap at starboard side, but the structural integrity of the inner hull and the engine's bulkheads. The risk of pollution was avoided, and the main engine and equipment of the ship were found to be in good condition. Around 8 p.m., the Dauphin helicopter of the French Navy hoisted the French experts of the evaluation team. The Dover MRCC, given the weather conditions on the area, authorized the bulkcarrier to proceed to a secure anchorage on the outskirts of Dover while waiting to be escorted. On Nov 21 an assistance contract was signed between the shipowner and Les Abeilles for a transit to the port of Dunkirk. Around 7 a.m. the "Saga Sky" started the Transit, escorted by the "Abeille Languedoc". In the early afternoon, the bulkcarrier entered the port of Dunkerque. The "Saga Sky" berthed at the Quai de Douvres at Damen Arno Dunkerque at 3.30 p.m. French report with photo and video: http://www.20minutes.fr/lille/1965783-20161121-video-calais-pleine-tempete-sauvetage-reussi-cargo-norvegien