The Norwegian Accident Investigation Board (AIBN) has issued an interim report about the cruise ship Viking Sky. This vessel had a black-out near Hastadvika, Norway, on 23 March 2019 in stormy conditions and came very close to grounding. 479 passengers had to be evacuated by helicopter.
A transcript of what happened:
The Viking Sky had left from Bergen on 14 March. The cruise included the ports of Narvik, Alta, Tromsø, Bodø and Stavanger, where the ship was to arrive on 24 March. On the 23 March, following a number of lubricating oil low level and low volume alarms and the diesel generators shutting down in turn from 13:37 onwards, the vessel suffered a complete blackout and loss of propulsion close to two pm.
The master broadcast a mayday and instructed the crew to drop both anchors. Yet, the anchors did not hold, and the ship continued to drift astern towards the shore at a speed of six to seven knots. The General Alarm was activated at 14:13 and the passengers and crew began to muster.
Through use of the emergency diesel generator, lubricating oil was transferred to the diesel generators. At 14:22, a diesel generator was started followed by the port and starboard propulsion motors. This provided sufficient propulsive power to maintain slow speed ahead and the vessel was manoeuvred to open water. At 15:00, evacuation started by helicopter, which would last until the next morning. Due to environmental conditions, use of lifeboats was considered too dangerous.
The first tugboat arrived at around 16:40. However, the weather conditions were too severe to secure a towline. At 06:30 on 24 March the weather conditions had improved sufficiently to enable tugs to be made fast and towlines were secured fore and aft, although the vessel maintained its own propulsion. At approximately 09:15, the master decided that the vessel was out of danger and that it was safe to stop the evacuation of the passengers. 479 evacuated passengers had been received at the emergency centre ashore. The Viking Sky was moored alongside in Molde at around 16:25 on 24 March.
Initial Findings
The initial findings of the AINB investigation into the accident are:
- The lubricating oil sump tanks of all the diesel generators were maintained at 28 to forty per cent capacity. MAN’s recommendation was to maintain them at 68 to 75 per cent capacity.
- The diesel generators shut down as a result of loss of lubricating oil suction due to low sump tank levels, combined with pitching and rolling.
- All three operational diesel generators shut down within nineteen minutes of each other, causing black-out and loss of propulsion.
- AINB estimates that Viking Sky came within a ship’s length of grounding, having passed over or in immediate proximity to ten-metre shoals before propulsion could be re-established.
Preventative Measures Taken
The Viking Sky falls under the ownership of Viking Ocean Cruises, but it is managed by Wilhelmsen Ship Management (Norway). Shortly after the incident, Wilhelmsen distributed a Safety Bulletin including recommendations to all their vessels.
The company has also identified several actions to be taken following their internal investigation of this incident. Specifically, they are reviewing the management of appropriate lubricating oil levels in operational machinery, the preparations for heavy weather and the instructions regarding blackout recovery. Additionally, in cooperation with Class, they are establishing procedures for sailing with one engine (or other critical equipment) inoperative while maintaining compliance with the Safe Return to Port requirements.
On 27 March 2019, the Norwegian Maritime Authority issued a Safety Message on risk assessment of critical systems which asked ‘all shipping companies to take the necessary precautions to ensure the supply of lubricating oil to engines and other critical systems under expected weather conditions. This should be done in collaboration with the engine supplier and included as part of the ship’s risk assessments in the safety management system.’
Investigation Continues
The safety investigation into this accident will now continue to ensure any further appropriate actions to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents in the future and improve safety at sea are identified. Areas of further investigation include engine room alarm management, passage planning, decision support, lubricating oil management, evacuation and LSA, safety management, local weather conditions and bathymetry, and safe Return to Port. Once completed, a final report will be published.
Picture: Viking Sky in Kiel Canal (by HenSti).
