Pallada Ship Breaks Apart in Black Sea: Comprehensive Investigation Report ReleasedOn November 19, 2023, the Cameroon-flagged Pallada dry cargo vessel broke apart and grounded on the shores of Karadeniz Ereğli Port during a severe storm. A detailed investigation report by the Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's Transport Safety Investigation Center has been released, providing recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Incident Details and Timeline
The Pallada arrived at Karadeniz Ereğli Port on November 8, 2023, from Odessa, Ukraine, and initially anchored at anchorage area No. 1. On November 13, worsening weather conditions prompted the port authority to move the ship to anchorage area No. 4 within the breakwater.On November 19, wind speeds reached Beaufort scale 10 (severe storm), with wave heights of 6 meters. The extreme weather caused the vessel to drag anchor, and at 09:51, it broke into two pieces and drifted ashore. All 13 crew members were safely evacuated by local fire and disaster response teams. Oil spill containment measures were promptly implemented, and 10 tons of waste were removed from the ship.Structural and Technical Weaknesses
The report identified structural fatigue and technical inadequacies as contributing factors to the incident. Built in 1968 as a river-type vessel, Pallada was not designed to withstand harsh maritime conditions. It also violated operational limits by navigating more than 20 nautical miles offshore despite its certifications.Furthermore, the vessel failed to provide adequate anchor chain length (scope), compromising its stability during the storm. The lack of a robust anchoring plan also played a role in the accident.Impact of Weather and Sea Conditions
Meteorological data showed severe weather conditions on November 19, with wind speeds exceeding 100 km/h and wave heights of 6 meters. The report emphasized that the crew should have taken precautionary measures by seeking a safer position within the port before the storm.Breakwater and Structural Damage
The storm caused significant damage to the Ereğli Port's North Breakwater, while the South Breakwater remained intact. A reconstruction project was initiated to reinforce the damaged sections using 43-ton antifer blocks.Comparisons with Similar Accidents
The report compared the Pallada incident with the 2021 sinking of the Arvin vessel near Bartın, Turkey. Both cases involved river-type ships breaking apart under severe weather conditions, highlighting the risks such vessels face in maritime environments.Recommendations and Preventive Measures
The report outlined several recommendations for ship operators, port authorities, and the maritime industry:- Anchoring Procedures: Captains must ensure proper anchoring practices, including providing sufficient anchor chain length.
- Meteorological Awareness: Bridge teams should analyze weather reports accurately and take timely precautions.
- Certification Compliance: Ship operators must adhere to the operational and meteorological limits specified in certifications.
- Structural Enhancements: River-type vessels should undergo structural upgrades to improve their resilience to maritime conditions.
