Sinking of the Tall Ship BOUNTY on October 29, Office of Investigations & Analysis (CG-INV)

Transcription

1 Sinking of the Tall Ship BOUNTY on October 29, 2012 Office of Investigations & Analysis (CG-INV) 1

2 BOUNTY 2

3 Vessel Crew Typical Crew Complement = persons Crew Complement on October 25, 2013 = 16 persons Master: USCG Credentialed with 25 yrs sea time 6 USCG Credentialed Crew 9 Crew members with no credentials Includes only Engineer on Bounty 14 days 10 of the 16 had less than 1 season (6-7 mos) on BOUNTY 3

4 New London, CT - October 25 Hosted 44 crew members of the USS MISSISSIPPI for a day sail Several crew members went for a tour on the USS MISSISSIPPI afterwards. Next scheduled port call was St. Petersburg, FL on November 10 th Was aware of Hurricane Sandy Got underway at

5 Significant Events October 27 Morning Master changes course from SSE to SW Engineer is seasick, falls, fractures hand By late Afternoon Seas >15 ft, Winds 30-40mph Port & Starboard electric bilge pumps running almost constantly Evening Fixed hydraulic pump will not work Water level in bilges now remaining constant 5

6 Significant Events October 28 Morning Weather: Seas = 30 ft, Winds = 90 knots Most crew beginning to feel fatigue from sea sickness and lack of sleep Electric bilge pumps needed constant attention 2 people needed on helm Engineer falls and gashes arm and injures leg 6

7 Significant Events October 28 (contd.) Afternoon Port Engine fails lack of fuel Master falls and injures back Electric bilge pumps continue to have problems Starboard Generator begins to fluctuate Chief Mate suggests contacting USCG Master rejects suggestion 7

8 Significant Events October 28 (contd.) Evening Crew tries/fails to use portable, gas trash pump to dewater Crewman falls, severely injuring back, ribs, shoulder and head Starboard generator begins to fluctuate again. Bilge pumps routinely losing prime/need constant attention Chief Mate again asks Master to contact USCG Master again said no 8

9 Significant Events October 28 (contd.) Evening Starboard generator shuts down Electric bilge pumps stop working At 2000 Master finally agrees to call USCG SSB Radio & INMARSAT C phone not functional Handheld Sat Phone call made to Shoreside Personnel 2045 USCG notified by Shoreside Personnel 2130 Starboard Generator shorts out 9

10 Significant Events October 28 (contd.) Evening 2230 water level in engine room makes it unsafe Sole boards floating and crashing into things Water maker electrical box arcing/sparking and then exploded Shifting water knocks down staircase to engine room Midnight Port Generator and Starboard engine fail BOUNTY is adrift 10

11 Significant Events October 29 Early Morning Weather: Seas = 18 ft, Winds = 40 kts BOUNTY Heels to starboard Crew forced to abandon ship Rigging slamming about in heavy seas Several crew members hit by or caught in rigging Evening BOUNTY last seen by CG Sank 123 miles of Cape Hatteras in 14,000 ft of water 11

12 BOUNTY & Hurricane Sandy Tracks 12

13 BOUNTY Outcome 13

14 BOUNTY Outcome Injuries Before Sinking Engineer fell twice Fractured hand, Lacerated Arm/Leg Contusion Master Fell Significant Back Injury AB fell Fractured rib, Fractured/Dislocated shoulder Injuries During Abandon Ship Chief Mate Dislocated Shoulder, Fractured Wrist, Strained Knee 3 rd Mate Fractured Ribs AB Dislocated Shoulder Loss of Two Lives Master - lost, presumed dead Volunteer Deckhand Recovered deceased, evidence of head trauma 14

15 15

16 Decision Making/Risk Assessment Confer with his peers? Consider Crew s experience? Vessel condition? Communicate true situation and hazard with crew? 16

17 Risk Management for Unqualified and Inexperienced Crew Risk Management Realistic Assessment of Impact of Unqualified/Inexperienced Volunteers Inability to Perform Necessary Functions During Emergencies: Qualified/Experienced Personnel must take on additional duties/work Require Assistance/Guidance During Emergencies: Qualified/Experienced Personnel have to see to their safety/care in addition to duties/work 17

18 Other Casualties Lack of Training/Experience TRINITY II 18

19 Challenges For Tall Ships Crew makeup of BOUNTY Typical? Base number of professionals Large number of non-mariners Inexperienced Enthusiastic volunteers Recognize risk Shi* hits the fan Inexperienced complement become a liability Distracts crew from assigned duties One person deep 19

20 Casualties = What? Possibly new regulations New standards More Importantly ACTION! 20

21 WHO WANTS NEW REGS? Alternatives Industry responds in a positive way Address issues more timely Take command of destiny Do the right thing 21

22 An Example of success The Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Program 22

23 Commercial Fishing Vessels Deaths and loses have declined Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Act of 1988 and the implementation of the 1991 regs. Continueto have deaths Incidents of multiple deaths have dramatically declined. 46 CFR Part 28 Rules Require primary lifesaving gear AND Crew orientation Safety drills 23

24 * FV Loss Big Picture Vsl Loss AVG 82-91, AVG Deaths 82-91, Vsl Loss AVG , AVG Deaths , Commercial Fishing Vessel Vessel Statistics Vessel Losses and The Related Lost Fishing Vessels Vsl Loss AVG Deaths Deaths AVG Vsl Loss AVG '02-13, AVG Deaths '02-13, Calendar Year 24

25 FV Stats Drill Down Commercial Fishing Vessel Crew Death Statistics Multiple Deaths Annual Totals Two or More Deaths Per Casualty Three or More Deaths Per Casualty

26 FV Multiple Death Trend Commercial Fishing Vessel Crew Death Statistics Casualties with Multiple Deaths Counts of Casualties with 2 or More Deaths Counts of Casualties with 3 or More Deaths

27 Success Attributed to practical aspects of Rules 27

28 46 CFR Part 28 28

29 External Promotion of Safety Other entities recognized problem and took action Fisherman Wives Associations as well as organizations like the North Pacific Fishing Vessel Owners Association Promote the practical Safety Orientation Emergency training Drills Instruction 29

30 What can Tall Ships Do? Recognize risks of carrying volunteer crew. Adopt Trade Group Standards to Promote Safety orientation Drills Emergency instruction Use existing Commercial Fishing Industry expertise and materials Rely on peers to consider risks 30

31 Commercial Fishing Industry Vessel Safety 31

32 Alternative Outcomes License suspension and revocation Civil Litigation Criminal negligence Tide High parasailing casualty 32