SUB-COMMITTEE ON STABILITY AND LOAD LINES AND ON ...

Ref.: 391/09 and 520/09
BSU
Bundesstelle für Seeunfalluntersuchung
Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation
4.1.3 Regulations of the coastal State
The competent authority in Hong Kong, the Marine Department (MARDEP), has
special rules for how vessels laid-up in the roadsteads of Hong Kong are to be
manned during the typhoon season.
The anchorage of the CCNI GUAYAS until 14 September 2009, at the position 22°
17.2'N and 114° 30.4'E, was about 8 nm away from the nearest land at a depth of
about 30 m. According to the charts and sailing directions, this position is about 7
cables outside the outer roadstead of Hong Kong, which run to the meridian 114° 30'
E. The investigating authority in Hong Kong, the Marine Accident Investigation
Section of the Hong Kong Marine Department, confirmed that the CCNI GUAYAS
had anchored outside the Hong Kong roadstead during the period 31 July to 14
September 2009, and as such also outside the jurisdiction. Therefore, the rules of
MARDEP do not apply and as coastal State the Hong Kong authorities are not
responsible for the manning of vessels anchored on the open sea, as it were.
Limit of the
outer HK
roadstead
Anchorage
Figure 33: The outer roadstead of Hong Kong
4.2 Stability
Over the past 100 years, rules concerning the assessment of vessel stability have
always focused on compliance with the minimum requirements for stability to prevent
capsizing accidents in as far as possible. However, based on the experience the
BSU has gained from other accidents, too much stability or GM also has very
damaging properties with respect to the cargo and vessel, and in some cases can
result in crew members suffering fatal injuries.
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