The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report on the UK flagged ship the Evergreen Ever Smart which lost 42 containers in 2017.
The report highlights various safety issues that lead to the lost off containers and damage to a further 34 which remained onboard. The incident occurred 700 miles east of Japan, North Pacific Ocean.
One issue highlights a period of heavy pitching and hull vibration in the early morning of 30 October.
Second, a combination of factors resulted in a loss of integrity for the whole deck cargo bay; in particular, the containers were not stowed or secured in accordance with the cargo securing manual.
It was also highlighted that the container lashings might not have been secured correctly.
The container stow collapsed while on passage between Taipei, Taiwan and Los Angeles, USA.
The master had changed the ship’s passage plan to avoid severe weather caused by a developing depression east of Japan.
The ship continued in heavy seas, rolling and pitching heavily with frequent bow flare slamming. Once the weather had abated, the crew discovered that the container stacks on the aft most bay had collapsed and toppled to port.
When the vessel returned to Los Angeles after the incident it was found by MAIB investigators that several of the lashing rods inspected were found to be slack. It was also noted that many of the turnbuckle lock nuts had not been tightened and were loose.
Recommendations by the MIAB to Evergreen Marine Crop have been made to improve standards of stowage plans produced ashore, knowledge of the dangers of bow flare slamming and lashing gear maintenance management.
The 7,024 TEU vessel suffered superficial damage during the incident and its hull integrity had not been compromised.
Read the MAIB’s full report on the Evergreen Ever Smart here.