Preliminary findings from an investigation by the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) reveal details about the collision involving Fred. Olsen Windcarrier’s wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Brave Tern in the Port of Esbjerg earlier this month.
The DMA conducted an unannounced survey shortly after the incident, and the findings are part of an ongoing investigation by the Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board, an independent authority.
The survey was carried out the day after Brave Tern collided with Cadeler’s WTIV Wind Keeper and port equipment during a harbour maneuver on 10 June. The vessel was transporting wind turbine blades for RWE’s 1.1 GW Thor offshore wind farm. There were no serious injuries, but all nine blades onboard were damaged.
According to DMA’s preliminary investigation, Brave Tern completed a 180-degree turn and was moving through the port at about three to four knots when the incident occurred.
A bridge team member of Brave Tern moved to the starboard bridge wing to assess the clearance between the vessel’s cargo and Wind Keeper, moored along the quay. Although the clearance appeared sufficient, moments later, the crew was warned that the blades were dangerously close before striking Wind Keeper‘s starboard crane at approximately 07:41 local time.
The vessel encountered difficulties maintaining its heading and contacted the quayside six minutes later. Control was regained using its dynamic positioning system, and Brave Tern proceeded to a turning basin with tug assistance before returning to port.
The DMA survey report notes all vessel certificates were valid, no violations of crew rest-hour requirements were found, and no equipment alarms were reported before the collision. Investigators noted that all equipment appeared functional upon departure and remained unclear about the incident’s exact cause.
The DMA reported that the windage effect of the cargo “may have had a greater influence on the vessel’s maneuvering performance than expected,” as Brave Tern was carrying vertically stowed tower sections and blades extending about 60 meters beyond the vessel’s starboard side.
The survey identified hull damage on the vessel’s starboard side, covering approximately 12 square meters. Following inspection, the DMA required a safety meeting with bridge personnel before departing from Esbjerg to discuss preventive measures.
Cleanup operations in the Port of Esbjerg are now complete. According to Danish newspaper JydskeVestkysten, divers and contractors removed blade debris from the seabed. The newspaper reports that the costs and damages are estimated to exceed DKK 1 billion (approximately EUR 134 million).
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz