Marine Investigation Report M05l0203 Grounding Bulk
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MARINE INVESTIGATION REPORT M05L0203 GROUNDING BULK CARRIER CANADIAN LEADER OFF CAP À LA ROCHE, UPSTREAM OF DESCHAILLONS-SUR-SAINT-LAURENT, QUEBEC 26 SEPTEMBER 2005 The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigated this occurrence for the purpose of advancing transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability. Marine Investigation Report Grounding Bulk Carrier Canadian Leader Off Cap à la Roche, Upstream of Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec 26 September 2005 Report Number M05L0203 Synopsis On 24 September 2005, the Canadian Leader departed Pointe-Noire, Quebec, fully loaded with iron ore pellets and bound for Hamilton, Ontario. At 0115 eastern daylight time on September 26, upstream of Deschaillons-sur-Saint-Laurent, Quebec, the vessel sustained a blackout. With the helm no longer responsive, the vessel took a sheer to starboard and ran aground near buoy D38. Water ingress was observed in the forepeak and the No. 1 starboard ballast tank. Three hours later, on a rising tide, two unsuccessful attempts to refloat were made. Later that morning, the crew realized that the cargo hold was taking in water and, once the vessel’s management company was apprised of the situation, a salvage tug and equipment were requested. Upon arrival, portable pumps were rigged and de-watering commenced. At approximately 0525 on September 28, the third attempt to refloat was successful. The vessel then proceeded to the Port of Québec, where it was partially unloaded and underwent temporary repairs. Afterward, the vessel resumed its voyage toward the Great Lakes. Ce rapport est également disponible en français. © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2008 Cat. No. TU3-7/05-2E ISBN 978-1-100-10201-6 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Factual Information ........................................................................ 1 1.1 Particulars of the Vessel............................................................................................ 1 1.1.1 Description of the Vessel.......................................................................................... 2 1.2 History of the Voyage............................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Grounding .................................................................................................................. 2 1.2.2 Salvage ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Injuries to Persons ..................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Damage ....................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Certification................................................................................................................ 6 1.5.1 Vessel........................................................................................................................... 6 1.5.2 Personnel .................................................................................................................... 6 1.6 Weather and Tide ...................................................................................................... 6 1.7 Cargo Hold Arrangement ........................................................................................ 7 1.7.1 Design ......................................................................................................................... 7 1.7.2 Water Detection ......................................................................................................... 7 1.8 Cargo Hold Pumping................................................................................................ 7 1.8.1 Bilge Pumping Arrangement................................................................................... 7 1.8.2 Sealing of Bilge Well Strainer Plates....................................................................... 8 1.8.3 Safety Management System – Pumping Procedures............................................ 8 1.9 Cargo Description...................................................................................................... 9 1.10 Other Occurrences..................................................................................................... 9 1.11 Electrical System........................................................................................................ 9 1.11.1 Power Plant and Distribution System .................................................................... 9 1.11.2 Circuit Breakers ....................................................................................................... 10 1.11.3 Bus Bars..................................................................................................................... 10 1.11.4 Regulatory Inspection of Switchboard................................................................. 12 1.11.5 Aft Air Compressor Set .......................................................................................... 13 1.11.6 Harbour Generator.................................................................................................. 14 1.11.7 Vessel’s Blackout Procedure .................................................................................. 14 1.11.8 Marine Machinery Regulations................................................................................. 14 1.12 Emergency Plans ..................................................................................................... 14 1.12.1 Company Plan.......................................................................................................... 14 1.12.2 Vessel Plan................................................................................................................ 15 1.12.3 Company Proposed Salvage Plan ......................................................................... 15 1.12.4 Emergency Preparedness of Agencies.................................................................. 15 1.12.4.1 Transport Canada.................................................................................................... 15 1.12.4.2 Department of Fisheries and Oceans.................................................................... 16 TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD iii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.12.5 Submission/Approval of the Salvage Plan ......................................................... 18 2.0 Analysis .......................................................................................... 19 2.1 Cause of the Blackout.............................................................................................. 19 2.1.1 Short Circuit ............................................................................................................. 19 2.1.2 Coordination of Electrical Protective Devices..................................................... 21 2.2 Steering Gear............................................................................................................ 21 2.3 Awareness of Water in the Cargo Hold ............................................................... 21 2.4 Cargo Hold Pumping.............................................................................................. 22 2.5 Emergency Response Plans.................................................................................... 22 2.5.1 Marine Emergency Response Plan – Company .................................................. 23 2.5.2 Marine Emergency Response Plan – Vessel ........................................................ 23 2.5.3 Proposed Salvage Plan............................................................................................ 24 2.5.4 Governmental Authorities ..................................................................................... 25 3.0 Conclusions.................................................................................... 27 3.1 Findings as to Causes and Contributing Factors ................................................ 27 3.2 Findings as to Risk .................................................................................................. 27 3.3 Other Findings ......................................................................................................... 28 4.0 Safety Action.................................................................................. 29 4.1 Action Taken ............................................................................................................ 29 4.1.1 Coordination of Electrical Protection Devices and Switchboards.................... 29 4.1.1.1 Steering Gear............................................................................................................ 29 4.1.2 Water Detection and Bilge Pumping Arrangement ........................................... 30 4.1.3 Safety Management System – Procedures ........................................................... 30 4.1.4 Emergency Preparedness ....................................................................................... 30 4.2 Safety Concerns ....................................................................................................... 30 4.2.1 Adequacy of Emergency Preparedness................................................................ 30 4.2.2 Detection of Water Ingress..................................................................................... 32 Appendices Appendix A – Department of