(WASHINGTON) — On July 20, 2024, about 10:15 p.m. local time, the Canada-flagged bulk carrier Algoma Discovery struck five of the loading shuttles at the BNSF Allouez Taconite Facility in Superior, Wis., after losing electrical power and main propulsion while docking. There were no injuries and no pollution was reported. Damage to the Lake Superior facility was estimated at $950,000, and damage to Algoma Discovery was estimated at $130,000.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the probable cause of the incident was the chief engineer and operating company not sufficiently evaluating and repairing the cause of an online generator’s previous automatic voltage regulator malfunction. This resulted in the vessel’s loss of electrical power and propulsion while maneuvering toward the dock, and subsequent low control air pressure, which led to a second loss of propulsion.
Lessons learned
Electrical generating system failures during maneuvering can result in a loss of propulsion and steering. Therefore, mitigating the loss of electrical power is paramount in restricted waters or during maneuvering, where immediate hazards (grounding, traffic, objects) are in proximity, and therefore, response time is critical to avoiding a casualty.
Electrical generating system components, such as generators, should be tested to full capacity (or as close to full capacity as possible) following any maintenance or repair to ensure that they can meet electrical demand while the vessel is being maneuvered. Additionally, when electrical system failures cannot be completely resolved, the implementation of alternate measures to ensure a safe transit should be considered, such as the use of tugboats to assist in maneuvering or docking.
Click here to read the complete report.
– National Transportation Safety Board
