Summary:
The Maltese registered commercial yacht Akalam sailed from Giardini Naxos to Messina, Sicily with one passenger on board. Following a request by the passenger to sail as close as possible to the Sicilian coast, the master decided to deviate from the voyage plan and sail in water depths of not less than 20 m. At approximately 1040, Akalam lurched and abruptly came to a stop. She then started veering to port. The impact was violently felt by the crew.
The immediate cause of the grounding was a deviation from the documented passage plan and the very close sailing to the coast, which was exacerbated by lack of a navigational mark over the shoal. The MSIU has issued two recommendations to the Company designed to ensure that crew members on board appreciate the importance of voyage planning.
Excerpts from the deck logbook
Conclusions:
- The immediate cause of the grounding was a deviation from the documented passage plan and the very close sailing to the coast;
- The coastal features on the chart available on board were not exhaustive due to the scale;
- Since Akalam was sailing close to the coast, she quickly found itself in the shallows;
- The navigation of Akalam was not being monitored adequately;
- On leaving Giardini Naxos, the navigation was not in accordance with the voyage plan;
- It was also likely that the master was unaware of small rocks and shoal that abound Capo San Alessio.
Recommendations:
- issue a Fleet Circular to highlight the importance of voyage planning;
- identify, analyse and discuss navigational practices on board its yachts in order to implement rectification of identified issues.
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Source: Transport Malta
