200255 Oil Transfer Danger

 The picture shows an incident which occurred during the unmooring of a small tanker after completion of transfer operations. The vessel in question is not well designed for this sort of operation. The ship had no fenders available to protect exposed parts of the receiving vessel and the ropes which were used were badly frayed. Own vessel's Pre-STS check list was fully completed on time with the (false) information supplied by the small tanker.

The Master of the small tanker seemed to be undecided on his actions and his delay in giving helm orders caused a hazardous situation to occur. The primary and secondary fenders to protect my vessel from heavy impact were in position and only the quick response of my crew with portable rubber fenders was able to save us from damage when the other vessel unmoored. My crew on deck ordered the Master of the other vessel to put the wheel hard to port and he then just managed to pass clear round our bow.

This incident could have easily caused a serious case of pollution, damage to property and danger of loss of life and I found myself in complete shock regarding the manoeuvring of the other vessel.