Summary:
On December 6, 2016, about 2140 hours local time, an uninspected motor vessel, Exito, sank while transiting from Dutch Harbor to Akutan, Alaska. During the transit, the vessel had been struck by a wave and began listing to starboard. Unable to determine the source of the list as it progressively increased, the captain ordered the Exito’s second crewmember and three contractors who were also on board to don immersion suits and abandon the vessel. The crew and one contractor evacuated to a liferaft, but two contractors were unable to escape the Exito before it sank.
The survivors were recovered shortly in a good Samaritan vessel. US Coast Guard aircraft, a Coast Guard cutter, and other vessels searched for the missing contractors, but they were never found.
About 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel, twelve 55-gallon drums of antifreeze, and an industrial X-ray machine went into the sea when the vessel sank. The Exito, valued at about $310,000, is lost into the sea.
Probable Cause:
The National Transportation Safety Board had determined that the probable cause of the sinking of the motor vessel Exito was a progressive flooding of the vessel from an undetermined location within the vessel.
Other major contributors to the loss of life, were the carriage personnel on board other than crew members, who were inadequately prepared and equipped for an emergency response.
Recommendations:
Following the accident investigation, NTSB pointed out these three points for operators to take into consideration:
- VHF radio reception in Alaska region: Vessel owners, operators, and crewmembers should be aware of the limitations of VHF radio reception in the Aleutian region. In addition to VHF radios, mariners should have alternate means of immediately alerting Coast Guard search and rescue (SAR) centers, such as satellite communication devices. If satellite communication is used as the designated alternate communication device, the number for the SAR center should be posted in the wheelhouse and in crew common areas and should be known by crew members onboard. For any type of installed marine distress and alerting system, the captain and owner should ensure crewmembers are capable of using the system during an emergency.
- Safety Briefing for Non-crewmembers: Prior to departure on a voyage, non-crew members should be given a complete safety briefing that includes, actions to be taken during emergencies such as fire, flooding, or abandon ship, along with instructions on egress routes and survival equipment such as life rafts and immersion suits. During the safety briefing, immersion suits should be donned to ensure proper fit and familiarity with instructions.
- Maintenance of Hull and Watertight Bulkheads: For the safety of a vessel and all personnel on board, the hull and watertight bulkheads must be maintained and any deficiencies must be repaired appropriately. Also, known issues with watertight integrity and wastage need to be permanently addressed.
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Source: NTSB
