Singapore-flagged car carrier Höegh Osaka started listing and subsequently grounded at the entrance to Southampton, UK in January 2015 due to inadequate stability, a report from the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) shows.
According to MAIB, the issue had not been identified prior to the vessel’s departure from Southampton’s port.
Höegh Osaka ran into trouble as it was leaving and turning to port around the Bramble Bank. The ship developed a list of more than 40 degrees and lost steerage and propulsion. It subsequently drifted aground on Bramble Bank.
The car carrier’s hull was breached due to a cargo shift of some 1,400 cars aboard and Höegh Osaka started taking on water.
The vessel’s crew was safely evacuated and the incident did not result in any pollution.
“Immediately after the incident, we reinforced the adherence to procedures among all our staff, and training courses were expanded to ensure that lessons learned are shared company-wide,” Ingar Skiaker, CEO of Höegh Autoliners, said.
He added that the company’s team would now look at the report’s detailed findings to “determine additional lessons for our future operations, but it is reassuring to see that most of the recommendations made in the report have already been incorporated in our procedures.”
Höegh Osaka returned to service after undergoing necessary repairs.