Summary in English

On 12 February 2023, the tug PAMPUS, together with another tug, was towing a barge from Norrbyskär to Holmsund, Västerbotten County. PAMPUS went ahead, creating an open passage through the ice fields, then returned to connect to the other tug, and then continued the towing.

On the way back, PAMPUS deviated from the open passage to free the barge from the surrounding ice by circle around the barge, as it was assumed the barge had become frozen into the ice. In connection with this maneuver, they ran aground while coming alongside to the barge. The speed was approximately 11 knots, and the ship immediately developed a strong list which then slowly increased. The crew feared that the ship might capsize and abandoned it. They were able to safely cross the ice to the barge, where the crew of the other tug took care of them. The insurance company later deemed the ship a total loss.

Causes of the accident

The cause of the accident was that the navigation was carried out without safety margins to known shallow areas. Furthermore, the quality of the in-depth information in the area where they were navigating was not known to the shipping company.

One contributing factor was that the risk of ice drift was not taken into account, which is considered to have resulted in the broken ice channel being compressed and the open part of the ice channel being very close to the shallow area.

An underlying factor was the shipping company's lack of an appropriate safety culture, adapted to current operations and prevailing conditions.

Safety recommendations

SHK submits the following recommendations:

T. Ekstrand Sjötjänst AB (the shipping company) is recommended to:
• develop a systematic approach to maritime safety for their current activities and
their ships

The Swedish Transport Agency is recommended to:
• consider the need for further dissemination of information on the requirements
for systematic maritime safety work to shipping companies operating work
vessels.