Contact of Bulk Carrier Atlantic Huron with the Soo Locks West Center Pier

What Happened

On July 5, 2020, about 0250 local time, the self-unloading bulk carrier Atlantic Huron​​ was transiting the Upper St. Marys River, west of the Soo Locks, in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, with a crew of 25. While on approach to the locks and attempting to slow, there was a propulsion problem involving the vessel's controllable pitch propeller (CPP) system. The vessel subsequently contacted the west center pier at 6.8 knots. Before reaching the lock gate, the vessel's motion was halted, and the crew moored the vessel to the pier. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damages to the vessel ($1,633,000) and pier ($573,000) were estimated at $2.2 million.

What We Found

​​The probable cause of the contact between the Atlantic Huron and the west center pier at Soo Locks was not following the manufacturer's requirement to use thread-locking fluid during installation of the feedback ring locking pin set screw on the vessel’' controllable pitch propeller system, which led to the failure of the controllable pitch propeller's oil distribution box.

Lessons Learned

​​Loss of Propulsion Control Procedures

Loss of propulsion control in a critical phase of operation demands crewmembers act quickly to mitigate potential accidents. Part of a safety management system should address potential emergency shipboard situations, including loss of propulsion, collision, and contact, and establish ways to respond to them. Due to their unique blade control, vessels with controllable pitch propellers should have specific procedures for loss of engine and loss of pitch control. These emergency procedures should be well understood and practiced by crewmembers ​both on the bridge and in the engine room.

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