The multi-purpose carrier BBC Africa at the Manchester Terminal in Houston after a collision in August 2023. NTSB photo.
A steering control system component failure on a multi-purpose carrier resulted in a collision with a moored bulk carrier in the Houston Ship Channel, according to a new report from the National Transportation Safety Board Aug. 28.
TheBBC Africalost steering as it was departing the channel on Aug. 25, 2023, and struck the moored bulk carrier Common Faith at 10:12 a.m.. No injuries or pollution were reported. Damage to the vessels was estimated at $1.1 million.
The crew told investigators they did not find any issues with the steering control systems during testing as they prepared for sailing, and the vessel steering was functioning from the port bridge wing.
TheBBC Africalost steering as it was departing the channel on Aug. 25, 2023, and struck the moored bulk carrier Common Faith at 10:12 a.m.. No injuries or pollution were reported. Damage to the vessels was estimated at $1.1 million.
The crew told investigators they did not find any issues with the steering control systems during testing as they prepared for sailing, and the vessel steering was functioning from the port bridge wing.
Then when the steering control was transferred to the bridge’s center helm using the in-command follow-up (FU) control button at the center helm, the rudder swung hard to port, contrary to the pilot’s orders and the helmsman’s actions.
The chief officer made several unsuccessful attempts to regain primary steering control by re-pressing the FU button. After about a minute, the master regained rudder control by using the emergency override function.
But it was too late at that point to sufficiently turn the vessel before the ships made contact. Investigators determined the delayed response from the ship’s crew to implement the emergency steering procedure from the bridge contributed to the collision.
Following the incident, technicians from the manufacturer and investigators inspected and tested mechanical and electrical components of the BBC Africa’s three control stations and control system panels. Based on the rudder’s movements and the post-collision testing and inspection, NTSB investigators concluded the steering control failure was likely due to the bridge wing tiller micro switch failing.
“Steering control system failures can result in damaging consequences,” the board’s report said. “In channels or during maneuvering, where immediate hazards (grounding, traffic, objects) are in proximity and therefore response time is critical to avoiding a casualty, steering system failure contingencies require immediate crew response.”
“Training in steering recovery procedures, including scenario-based drills for bridge and engine teams, is critical to ensure crews can respond in the shortest possible time.”
In a summary, the NTSB noted that the BBC Africa operators “replaced three components following the contact that could have led to the steering failure: the port bridge wing tiller, the power supply transformer in the control cabinet located behind main bridge, and the push button relays to take ‘in command’ status when requesting control.”
“Additionally, the steering gear manufacturer released a safety bulletin on switch failures in the bridge wing tiller, specifically advising that a micro switch failure could lead to unintended rudder movements.”
