Commodore Clipper - Marine Accident Investigation Branch

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1.5.9 Delay
Throughout this period, the coastguard helicopter based at Lee-on-the-Solent
(R104) had been undergoing its pre-flight checks and an intermittent problem with
its rotor brake had been found. At 0850, the pilot informed Solent Coastguard that
the aircraft was unserviceable and that crew were trying to repair the problem.
Immediately afterwards, Solent Coastguard requested ARCC Kinloss to scramble
R125 from RAF Wattisham. ARCC Kinloss also offered R106, a helicopter similar
to R104, based at Portland in Dorset. This offer was initially declined by Solent
Coastguard as R106 did not have the capacity to lift a whole MIRG team in one go.
Commodore Clipper’s master called Solent Coastguard at 0905 to update them on
the state of the vessel and the urgent need for the Admiralty pilot to be embarked.
He confirmed that the fire was contained and that even though a MIRG team was
now assembling at the Lee-on-the-Solent helicopter base, their assistance was not
required.
At 0916, ARCC Kinloss reported that R125 had taken off and was expected to arrive
on scene at 1000. Solent Coastguard then requested that R106 be scrambled from
Portland to transfer the Admiralty pilot and CGLO: this request was made some 25
minutes after R104 had been reported as being unserviceable and R106 had been
offered as a replacement.
By 0930, R106 was on its way to Lee-on-the-Solent, with an estimated time of
arrival of 0952. R104 was being repaired and would not be available for at least an
hour. Solent Coastguard instructed the crew of R106 to embark the Admiralty pilot
on Commodore Clipper immediately, before going to Hayling Island to collect the
CGLO.
The DAO asked QHM if a MIRG team should assess the condition of Commodore
Clipper before the vessel entered the harbour. QHM reported that the tidal stream
through the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour was now building and, by 1045, would
be too great for the tugs to manoeuvre an unpowered vessel through the entrance
with an acceptable margin of safety. It was agreed that deploying a MIRG team
at this stage would cause further delays and that securing Commodore Clipper
alongside should remain the top priority.
1.5.10 Entry into Portsmouth Harbour
R106 landed at Lee-on-the-Solent at 0951 and collected the Admiralty pilot. He was
winched onto Commodore Clipper at 0956. Immediately after boarding, he called
QHM and was given permission for Commodore Clipper to enter the harbour. The
helicopter departed to collect the CGLO, who was winched on board Commodore
Clipper at 1015.
The master and Admiralty pilot agreed to secure the tug, SD Bustler, to the bow of
Commodore Clipper. The line was to be kept slack, but be ready for immediate use if
Commodore Clipper was affected by further steering control problems. SD Reliable
was instructed to maintain station on Commodore Clipper’s quarter. The Admiralty
pilot asked QHM to confirm with PIP where the vessel should berth.
Commodore Clipper normally used Berth 5, the most northerly of the linkspan
berths available at PIP (Figure 10). While adequate for normal service, this berth
was regarded as being the most challenging to use, and PIP offered Berth 4 as an
alternative. The master had assessed that Berth 2 was the easiest for him to use;
it allowed him to take advantage of the relatively sheltered basin to turn the vessel
through 180 o and provided enough space for the tugs to be able to work effectively.