Pasha Bulker 243 - Independent investigation into the grounding of ...

While a number of masters probably displayed good seamanship to clear the coast
after the onset of gale force winds, the seven that put to sea earlier demonstrated the
highest levels of seamanship. These masters ensured that their ships, crew and the
environment were not exposed to unnecessary risks. They did not put themselves in
a situation, with the predictably adverse weather that was forecast, where they
might have had to rely on other skills and hope for favourable conditions to recover,
something that Pasha Bulker’s master was unable to do.
2.4 Newcastle anchorage
Newcastle anchorage is fully exposed to the weather with onshore winds regularly
creating a dangerous lee shore. The relatively deep water near the coast compels
ships to anchor fairly close to the coast. The sea-room is limited, particularly when
the anchorage is congested. Consequently, in adverse weather, ships have no shelter
and limited sea-room in which to manoeuvre. Weather conditions, particularly the
swell, are known to deteriorate rapidly. This reduces the time available to masters
in which to take appropriate action. The high risks associated with the anchorage,
including ships dragging their anchors, have resulted in a number of serious
incidents in the past.
2.4.1 Previous incidents
Amongst the previous incidents at Newcastle anchorage, the grounding of Sygna on
26 May 1974 had remarkable similarities to the grounding of Pasha Bulker.
On 25 May, Sygna, a large bulk carrier, was one of at least six ships anchored off
Newcastle. At 1530, the strong wind warning in place was upgraded to a gale
warning. By 2100 the south-southeast wind was gusting to 50 knots.
Sygna was anchored 2.5 miles east of the harbour entrance and about three miles
from the lee shore of Stockton Beach. At 2210, the master read the latest gale
warning and went to bed leaving orders to be called if the ship’s anchor dragged. As
the weather deteriorated, ships began to put to sea. By midnight, only Sygna and
two other ships, one with fouled anchor cables, remained at anchor.
At about 0100 on 26 May, Sygna’s master was called. The anchor had started to
drag and he ordered that it be weighed. During the 45 minutes it took to get
underway, the ship, with the wind on its port beam, continued to drag towards
Stockton Beach. After the ship got underway, maximum port rudder with the main
engine at full ahead was used, unsuccessfully, to turn the ship’s head into the wind.
As the ship approached the coast, the wind was gusting to 90 knots and the master
decided to turn to starboard. Engine speed was increased but the attempt did not
succeed. At about 0200, Sygna grounded on Stockton Beach.
Of the other two ships, one rode out the storm at anchor by using its engine to
reduce the tension on its fouled anchor cables. The other ship got underway but
then had serious difficulties clearing the coast, passing only about 60 m from the
ship with the fouled anchor cables.
At about 0800, the stress on the hull of the grounded Sygna, aggravated by the low
tide, resulted in the ship breaking in two near its mid-section. The wind had
dropped to 10 knots and the crew were evacuated by helicopter.
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