A Malta-based tanker operating company’s decision to change masters without a handover period led to a $72.9M marine accident near Pilottown, La., in October 2020, according to a National Transportation Safety Board Marine Accident Brief issued Nov. 23. Marine Accident Brief 21/24 details the NTSB’s investigation of the striking of an oil and gas production platform (SP-57B) by the tanker Atina. The tanker is owned by Atina Maritime. The Atina was attempting to anchor in the Southwest Pass Fairway Anchorage in the Gulf of Mexico when it struck the platform. SP-57B's four crewmen and a technician evacuated to a nearby platform after activating an emergency shutdown. No pollution or injuries were reported. Estimated damages to the platform ($72.3M) and ship ($598,400) totaled $72.9M. NTSB’s report indicated that the accident master boarded the underway vessel outbound to anchorage, only seeing the departing master on deck. The company’s SMS required a minimum of a one-day turnover. The accident master told investigators he was tired having traveled from Turkey to join the vessel, and had no sleep for over 50 hours. Investigators determined the probable cause was Atina not ensuring sufficient time for the master’s turnover, which resulted in the master’s acute fatigue and poor situational awareness during an attempted nighttime anchoring evolution. (Source: Work Boat 11/23/21) Tanker master's fatigue led to $72.9 million marine accident, NTSB says | WorkBoat
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