(CHARLESTON, S.C.) — The containership MSC Michigan VII was released Monday from the International Maritime Organization detention order that was imposed on June 8 in Charleston after the vessel accelerated uncontrollably while leaving the harbor.
The vessel is authorized by the Coast Guard Sector Charleston captain of the port to depart the Port of Charleston under a three-tug escort, two of which will be tethered to the ship.
The authorization to depart was granted after main engine service technicians and Port State Control examiners from Sector Charleston conducted dockside trials to verify proper operation of the main engine and essential auxiliary systems. The vessel is also required to provide proof of successful sea trials prior to returning to the United States.
The initial Coast Guard investigation determined that the primary cause of the incident on June 5 was that the vessel’s control linkage for the main engine governor became disconnected, rendering the installed propulsion control systems inoperable. The investigation into the linkage disconnection is ongoing.
The 997-foot, 74,000-ton boxship was en route to Savannah, Ga., when the incident occurred. As a precaution, local law enforcement closed the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to vehicle traffic, and Fort Moultrie Beach was evacuated. The bridge reopened once the vessel safely passed underneath.
The ship’s next port of call will be Freeport, Bahamas.
On June 26, the Coast Guard presented a Meritorious Public Service Award to Christopher Thornton with the Charleston Branch Pilots Association for his commendable actions related to the incident.
– U.S. Coast Guard
