INTERIM REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO AN INCIDENT INVOLVING MV EPSILON ON 8th FEBRUARY 2016 REPORT NO. MCIB/258/INTERIM (No.1 OF 2017)
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) examines and investigates all types of marine casualties to, or on board, Irish registered vessels worldwide and other vessels in Irish territorial waters and inland waterways. The MCIB objective in investigating a marine casualty is to determine its circumstances and its causes with a view to making recommendations for the avoidance of similar marine casualties in the future, thereby improving the safety of life at sea. The MCIB is a non-prosecutorial body. We do not enforce laws or carry out prosecutions. It is not the purpose of an investigation carried out by the MCIB to apportion blame or fault. The legislative framework for the operation of the MCIB, the reporting and investigating of marine casualties and the powers of MCIB investigators is set out in The Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. In carrying out its functions the MCIB complies with the provisions of the International Maritime Organisation s Casualty Investigation Code and EU Directive 2009/18/EC governing the investigation of accidents in the maritime transport sector.
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2. Telephone: 01-678 3485/86. Fax: 01-678 3493. email: info@mcib.ie www.mcib.ie INTERIM REPORT OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO AN INCIDENT INVOLVING MV EPSILON ON 8th FEBRUARY 2016 The Marine Casualty Investigation Board was established on the 25th March, 2003 under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. The copyright in the enclosed report remains with the Marine Casualty Investigation Board by virtue of section 35(5) of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. No person may produce, reproduce or transmit in any form or by any means this report or any part thereof without the express permission of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board. This report may be freely used for educational purposes. REPORT NO. MCIB/258/INTERIM (No.1 OF 2017) 1
2 Report MCIB/258/INTERIM published by The Marine Casualty Investigation Board. Published 30th January 2017.
CONTENTS PAGE 1. SUMMARY 4 2. FACTUAL INFORMATION 5 3
SUMMARY 1. SUMMARY On the afternoon of Sunday the 7th February 2016, MV Epsilon sailed from Cherbourg in France bound for Dublin, Ireland. The Master reviewed the weather forecast prior to sailing which indicated adverse weather conditions. All cargo onboard was secured according to the vessel s Red Code cargo lashing system and the Master informed all personnel to anticipate heavy weather for the crossing. Having departed Cherbourg, the vessel crossed the English Channel. As the night progressed, the vessel s speed was reduced to 10 knots due to the effects of the worsening weather and sea conditions. As the wind and weather continued to increase, the Master took the decision to seek shelter in Barnstaple Bay. Having entered the bay and assessed the conditions for anchoring, the Master decided it would be unsafe to anchor and advised all shipboard departments of his intention to slow-steam back and forth across the bay until the weather conditions improved. The vessel was taking its third turn from east-north-east to west-northwest when it rolled heavily to starboard, rolled back to port, then heavily and further to starboard, then back to port then rolled even further to starboard. During the third roll to starboard, the cargo on decks one, three, four and five shifted causing damage to the cargo and some crew and passengers were injuried. The vessel then continued to slow-steam back and forth across Barnstaple Bay for the rest of the day without further incident. Once the weather improved sufficiently, the vessel departed from Barnstaple Bay and resumed her passage to Dublin port arriving on the morning of 9th February 2016. All times quoted are local times (GMT). 4
FACTUAL INFORMATION 2. FACTUAL INFORMATION 2.1 Description of Vessel (Canoe) Name of vessel: Class of vessel: MV Epsilon. Ro-Ro Passenger Ship. IMO Number: 9539054. Tonnage: Flag State: Management Company: Operated by: 26,000gt. Italy. Matrix Ship Management. Irish Ferries Ltd. 2.2 Intended Voyage Particulars Departure: Intended Arrival: Actual Arrival: Cherbourg, France 16.16 hrs on the 7th February 2016. Dublin, Ireland 11.30 hrs on the 8th February 2016. Dublin, Ireland 11.51 hrs on the 9th February 2016. 2.2 Conditions at time of Incident Weather: Visibility: Sea State: Wind: Westerly storm force 10 (48 to 55 knots). Good (> 5 nautical miles). High (6.0 to 9.0 metres). 2.3 Marine Casualty Information Date & Time: Type of Casualty: Location of Incident: 8th February 2016, approximately 11.50 hrs. Marine Casualty. Barnstaple Bay, England. 5
FACTUAL INFORMATION Cont. Vessel Damage: Cargo Damage: Injuries: Fatalities: Environmental Impact: Damage to bulkheads on cargo decks 4 & 5. Damage to port side lifeboat fibreglass canopy. 60 cars, vans and caravans damaged to various extents. Approximately 40 freight units damaged to various extents. Cargo from some freight units spilled and/or damaged. Injuries to 10 passengers and two crew members. None. None. 6
Leeson Lane, Dublin 2. Telephone: 01-678 3485/86. Fax: 01-678 3493. email: info@mcib.ie www.mcib.ie