Thames tug Chiefton capsizes in a tragic accident

The Gravesend based tug was manned by a crew of three, two of whom were quickly and safely recovered and taken ashore. A massive search and rescue operation involving boats from a number of agencies including the Metropolitan Police, RNLI, Port of London Authority, and London Fire Brigade was coordinated by London Coastguard to locate the missing third person. The Port of London Authority closed the River in the Greenwich area as part of the operation but regrettably the search was called off after several hours, without success.

Chiefton was working with the tug Steven Bennett to tow the crane barge from a location in the upper reaches of the Thames to Tilbury. Steven Bennett was pushing at the stern of the barge and Chiefton was towing ahead. The exact cause of the accident is still unclear but eyewitnesses reported that the tug turned over and sank extremely quickly. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) began an investigation into the cause of this tragic accident almost immediately.

The body of the missing crewman, the engineer Darren Lacey, was finally found near Convoys Wharf on Monday 15 August. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and colleagues.

Owned and operated by Palmer Marine Services of Gravesend, Chiefton is a former Admiralty ‘Girl class’ tug, formerly the Seamaid (ex; Barbara). The single screw vessel is 18.7m in length and powered by a Lister Blackstone main engine of 495bhp.

Preparations to locate and recover the tug began almost immediately. Local marine services contractor GPS was entrusted with the operation, working closely with the Port of London Authority. It was a slow, painstaking operation due to strong tides in the area at certain periods in the tidal cycle. The floating sheerlegs GPS Apollo first raised the tug, which was found to be lying on its side on the riverbed, and beached it on the north shore on 17 August. The tug was parbuckled the next day and prepared for transportation to Gravesend, where a detailed examination was carried out. A cursory examination of the exterior showed little sign of damage.