The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has published its report into the collision the Steam Packet vessel Sea Express 1 with the cargo ship Alaska Rainbow.

The collision happened in thick fog as the Steam Packet approached its berth in Liverpool on February 3rd this year.

Stuart Peters reports:

The collision holed the starboard hull of Sea Express 1, flooding the engine and jet pump rooms and causing her to lose power and list badly. She was towed to Liverpool Landing Stage where passengers disembarked. There were no reported injuries.

The MAIB says a trainee captain was on the vessel at the time and he was to berth the Sea Express 1 as part of his assessment for a type rating examination.

Whist acknowledging the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company and the Isle of Man Steam Packet have taken a number of actions since the incident - particularly with respect to pilotage training and the allocation of bridge duties in preparation for type rating examinations - the Investigation Branch has made further recommendations.

These include the Steam Packet reviewing its safety management system with particular respect to its instructions on the use of radar and bridge team procedures for conducting external communications in the event of an emergency.

The company is also advised to ensure that its passenger safety instruction card is appropriate for each type of carried

Operators of the Alaska Rainbow, JG Goumas Company, is recommended to ensure its masters are given clear guidelines which detail the importance of dialogue with pilots, and if necessary for the bridge team to challenge the decisions taken by pilots at an early stage so that corrective actions can be taken if needed

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company is also required to review safety codes and Mersey Channel collision rules with respect to sound signals required by vessels manoeuvring in close proximity when visibility is poor.


(Picture courtesy of John H. Luxton)