BW Ara Port Anchor Work Report

Date: 30/01/2011


Position: Latitude N 05 11.202, Longitude E 115 19.090

Brief overview

ISC team planned anchor work on the BW Ara to clear kinks and twists on the port anchor. Work commenced 26 Jan 2011 with approval from BW Management.

Today the 30th Jan 2011the anchor work was expected to complete once the kinks and twists on the 7th shackle was cleared. The operations on the day earlier showed a mass of foul chain between the 6th & 7th shackles.

ISC team arrived on the vessel at 30/0925 hours. Toolbox meeting was held at 1000 hours. The barge with the compressor onboard was made fast on the port shoulder of the ship. The air line system was checked on free load. It was ascertained to be satisfactory.

ISC workboat was in attendance to assist with the anchor operation. Starboard anchor was made ready and windlass tested. All found satisfactory. Operations commenced with heaving up the port anchor until the 7th shackles above water level. Just below the 7th shackle, a mass of foul chain was visible. A line was connected using the work boat to assist with the un-kinking operation. As the chain was lifted with the line in place, the chain began to untwist.

As the anchor chain was hoisted in, the chain kinks begin to open up and fall back into the water. The chain started opening up and falling down into the water. At this moment the movement of the chain caused the gear to disengage.

When the gear disengaged, the chain paid out by it’s own weight. The momentum and the movement of chain was too rapid. Instruction was given to ISC personnel to stay and keep clear of the area. The entire 12 shackles paid out until the bitter end. The bitter end could not stop the end link due to the force and momentum. It broke away from the securing pin and fell into the water.

Post Observations

• No one was injured and all personnel were cleared from the windlass operating area.

• Immediately instructions were given to lower the starboard anchor. It was lowered under power with the

vessel holding on to two shackles in the water. The GPS reading was taken and vessel was holding on to position.

Latitude N 05 11.058; Longitude E 115 19.300.

• The chain was gradually paid out to 8 shackles in the water and position checked.
 
The workboat marked the anchor chain with a floating jerry can, with the line originally attached to the


chain.

Position marked at Latitude N 05 11.339; Longitude E 115 19.195

• Incident was reported to ISC base.

• The gear lever stand was found broken and bent at the base. This may have caused the gear to disengage.

• No other visible damage was observed on deck. The chain locker bitter end bolt was found lying on the deck in the focsle. The pin slot and the end plate found to be buckled and bolt sheared off from its mounting. There was no other damage observe inside the chain locker.