Freighter Aground Because her Anchors Dragged

[Hydra]

A small freighter ran aground last night close to where I live, because her anchors dragged in a storm: Storm beaches cargo ship off French coast Photos | Storm beaches cargo ship off French coast Pictures - Yahoo! News

The crew was rescued by a brand-new French Navy helicopter, delivered one week ago.

I will try to go and have a look at the anchors this weekend.

Alain

[Me-and-Boo]

It is interesting to read about how many ships run aground.

[ljsailing]

I wonder; wrong anchor for bottom, not enough scope, or just not set.

[perchance]

Originally Posted by ljsailing

I wonder; wrong anchor for bottom, not enough scope, or just not set.

If those guys had read the anchor thread on here that would never have happened.

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by perchance

If those guys had read the anchor thread on here that would never have happened.

Damn You! Beat me by 7 minutes!

[Bash]

Originally Posted by perchance

If those guys had read the anchor thread on here that would never have happened.

Most ships these days are using the Dawson US-Navy-type anchors. Made in China, of course.

I wonder if there's a ship captain's forum out there somewhere that's having as much fun beating up on those Made-in-China anchors as we're having with our Rocna threads.

[sabray]

From the pictures I think he was not using a snubber. I recommend 3 strand and don't use a hook but tie it on, my second guess is he anchored way to close. 3rd is he anchored on a lee shore.and should have sailed off before this

[ozskipper]

Must have been made by Hunter! You can tell by the large Grab Handle near the bridge :-D

[avb3]

Originally Posted by perchance

If those guys had read the anchor thread on here that would never have happened.

Unless they had one of those Chinese Rocna's, doncha think?

[IslandHopper]

The vessel was not anchored, it was blown ashore in the storm, the anchors would have been let go to try and prevent the vessel grounding....SOP

Some video...

Incident Video of The Week – TK Bremen Grounded in France | gCaptain - Maritime & Offshore

[Pete7]

That fuel oil isn't going to do those superb beaches any good Brittainy is a real tourist area for Europe.

Pete

[conachair]

Originally Posted by ljsailing

I wonder; wrong anchor for bottom, not enough scope, or just not set.

130kph gusts might have had something to do with it as well.

Storm lashes France, cargo ship runs aground | Reuters

[ljsailing]

Hmmm.... From what I have learned in basic seamanship, one should stand well off a lee shore in that kind of a blow. Perhaps they were suffering some sort of propulsion or navigation difficulty.

[Hydra]

According to the French press, the ship left Lorient on ballast before the storm, to anchor in the lee of Groix island. The idea was to wait for the conditions to improve, then go to Britain. This is very common here, ships wait at anchor in the lee of Groix or Belle-Île for a few days, it's cheaper than being in port.

But her anchor dragged. She tried to find a better position to re-anchor but went aground. On ballast in the storm, the ship probably had too much windage and not enough propulsive efficiency to steer clear of the coast.

Alain

[Charlie]

Is It just me or were they wasting a huge amount of money with that helo. I would think that some cargo nets over the dry side of the boat would have been an easy way to evacuate the ship. Worst case rescuers could have got some rappelling gear to the crew. Of course they did have cranes as well.