Union highlights concerns over car carrier design and operation
The UK –based seafarers’ union Nautilus International has waded into the frenzy of debate surrounding the Hoegh Osaka grounding in the Solent. Investigations into the grounding of the car carrier need to focus on underlying issues rather than proximate causes, the union has said.
Speaking in a BBC TV interview, senior national secretary Allan Graveson said the case highlighted the Union’s concerns over the safety of car carrier design and operation.
‘In reality, these vessels – both vehicle and livestock carriers – are built to the edge of safety for commercial reasons. Their design has gone beyond what is reasonable and these ships need a lot of careful management,’ he added.
‘There is manifest failure of the regulator that permits the design and operation of ships in this way. Improvements are required and we hope the investigation will examine the root causes of this incident.’
Mr Graveson said the skills and experience of the pilot onboard had helped to prevent a major accident after Hoegh Osaka developed a severe list shortly after leaving port. ‘By running the ship onto the sandbank, his quick-thinking and professionalism had helped to avert loss of life, environmental damage and potentially catastrophic blockage of a major UK port.’
By Jake Frith
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