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Report: Worn-out mooring lines were the reason that the 'Endurance' broke free

Worn-out mooring lines that were not replaced on time were the reason that the 'Endurance' broke free from its dock and hit a pier and dry dock at the Port of Bremerhaven on March 13, 2021,, the Federal Bureau of Maritime Casualty Investigation (BSU) found out. The investigators have determined that the main cause of the line breakage was the worn mooring lines that were not replaced in good time due to an inadequate safety management system. Owing to the conditions of the mooring lines, coupled with offshore winds with gusts reaching speeds of up to 50 knots, the accident was most likely to happen despite preventive efforts by the ship’s master. The 'Endurance' was moored starboard side when the lines parted at about 09 45 a,m,. Investigators were able to establish that the master was aware of the weather forecast and conscious of the potential danger of mooring line failure. For this reason, he had taken appropriate precautionary measures against line failure by requesting tugs. 19 minutes before the incident at 09.24 a.m., the master had gone to the bridge because of the prevailing wind conditions at the berth. At 09.30 a.m., he requested tug assistance and instructed two of his deck officers to inspect the lines. When the lines failed, he issued instructions to drop the starboard anchor, start the main engine, and raise the lowered vehicle ramp. Before the arrival of the tugs, the 'Endurance' had drifted toward the Lloyd Werft dockyard. The first two tugs arrived about eight minutes after the line failures and before the main engine was running, but could not prevent the allision. It was determined that the vessel was only about 120 meters, meaning the tugs did not have enough time and space to prevent the contact. The damage on the ship included a crack above the waterline in the shell plating on the port side, a hole in the bulbous bow, and a dent and paint abrasions at the stern on the starboard side. The vessel’s operator, ARC, had also arrived at the same conclusion in its internal investigation, determining that the condition of the lines may not have been consistent with requirements. The lines were damaged to such an extent that only two of the 14 lines met the requirements for mooring lines. Following the BSU investigation, actions have been taken to prevent similar occurrences. They included the procurement of berth analysis software by the Port of Bremerhaven. Expected to be deployed this year, the software is designed to trigger alerts that would help the port inspect a vessel's mooring arrangement. As of Jan 1, 2024, new internationally binding guidelines for the inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment, including lines, came into force. In particular, the vessel operator is now required to introduce a procedure for mooring operations, as well as the inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment, including mooring lines. A maintenance procedure must be implemented on ships so that worn lines are identified in good time before they fail. Maintenance must be carried out and documented on board.

Oil spill in Port Arthur

The US Coast Guard and Texas General Land Office responded to an oil spill after a collision involving the tug "Savage Pathfinder" (IMO: 578286) and the "Endurance" at Dock 4 near Port Arthur, Texas, in the evening of Aug 29, 2018. An estimated 13,272 gallons of marine diesel fuel was discharged. The source of the leak has been secured. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur and TGLO personnel were dispatched to the scene to investigate and respond to the spill. A containment boom was placed around the vessel. The crews continued their recovery efforts on Aug 30. An urgent marine information broadcast has been sent cautioning mariners transiting around Texaco Point and Port Arthur.On Aug 31 the "Endurance" was berthed at the Port Arthur Refinery West. The cause of the incident was under investigation.

2,500 army vehicles shipped from Beaumont to Europe

On the day senior White House officials said at least 3,900 additional U.S. forces will be deployed to Afghanistan, more than 2,500 armored tanks and trucks arrived at the Port of Beaumont to be shipped overseas. The tan military tanks and green camouflage armored trucks were shipped by rail from Fort Riley, Kansas. Port employees on Tuesday loaded some of the vehicles onto the ship Endurance, which is scheduled to leave soon for Central Europe. The tanks and trucks will be dropped off in places like Germany, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary, according to Maj. Joseph Komanetz. Komanetz did not say where the vehicles, which belong to the Second Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division, will go from there. http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/2-500-army-vehicles-shipped-from-Beaumont-11952583.php