Summary:
On February 3, 2020, the vessel Rinella M departed from the port of Rijeka en route to the port of Split. The purpose of the voyage was to unload its cargo of “eurodiesel” (Diesel Fuel UN 1202 – Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel) at the tanker terminal of the Kaštela Basin C in Split’s North Port in Solin. Around the same time, the arrival of the oil and chemical tanker Kijac, intended for coastal distribution of petroleum products, was also expected. Vremenske prognoze upozoravaju na jake udare N i NE vjetra tih dana, pogotovo za 5. i 6. veljače. Odlučeno i odobreno je da prioritet uplova ima „Rinella M“, a da „Kijac“ ide na sidrište. .
On the morning of February 4, 2020, Rinella M moored portside to the terminal, bow-in, with nine mooring lines at the bow and eleven at the stern, and the port anchor was dropped with one shackle of chain in the water.
After the cargo unloading was completed on February 6, 2020, at the initiative of the terminal, the flexible cargo handling hose and grounding connection were disconnected, followed shortly by the removal of the protective containment boom. The departure was scheduled for daylight hours in the morning.
At 02:52 local time (UTC +1), due to strong gusts of the bura wind, the vessel’s bow started drifting away from the terminal. The forward section of the vessel broke free from its moorings, dragging the mooring buoy along with its four bow lines. The captain, who was in command, managed to execute a semicircular turn to starboard toward the bay’s exit. The crew raised the anchor and released the remaining stern mooring lines. Eventually, the vessel set sail toward the exit.
Following a generally westward cardinal course, the captain did not turn left between two navigational buoys to follow the same navigational route used for inbound passage two days earlier. Instead, the vessel continued straight toward the nearby islet of Barbarinac. On February 6, 2020, at 03:17, Rinella M ran aground on a shoal east of Barbarinac.
As a result of the marine accident, the vessel sustained minor damage, including scraped protective paint on the underwater bow plating, as well as 14 broken or severed mooring lines that had to be immediately replaced.
Third-party property damage occurred in the form of damage to part of the tanker berth—the anchor chain of the mooring buoy used for Rinella M’s bow mooring lines broke.
There were no injuries or fatalities, and no marine pollution occurred.
Agencija za istraživanje nesreća u zračnom, pomorskom i željezničkom prometu, temeljem provedenog istraživanja ovog incidenta, u cilju povećanja sigurnosti željezničkog sustava izdaje Agenciji za sigurnost željezničkog prometa sljedeće sigurnosne preporuke:
✓ AIN05-SR-1/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d., considering certain findings from the assessment of the current state of the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin from the perspective of safety and marine environmental protection, as contained in the marine study of the terminal conducted in 2020, refrain from contracting (ordering) the acceptance of vessels at the said terminal whose overall length (LOA) exceeds 200 meters.
✓ AIN05-SR-2/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. prioritize the installation of the following elements, which are necessary for the safer reception of vessels of certain sizes/dimensions at the INA tanker terminal of the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin (most of which were proposed in the marine study of the terminal conducted in 2020):
Installation of additional mooring elements with adequate and transparent load-bearing capacities at appropriate terminal locations, aiming to achieve the most favourable horizontal and vertical angles of mooring ropes.
Equipping future additional mooring elements and replacing existing mooring elements with remotely controlled quick-release hooks and a mooring load monitoring system.
Installing equipment for tracking the vessel’s movement (speed, distance, approach angle to the terminal) during berthing or unberthing manoeuvres and while docked (“berthing aid system”).
✓ AIN05-SR-3/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. improve the illumination in the area of the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin (especially its coastal edge) with adequate lighting fixtures in a safety-compliant design and an emergency lighting system.
✓ AIN05-SR-4/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d., in agreement with the Port Authority of Split, repair the existing fenders and/or procure new fenders at the INA tanker terminal of the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin to ensure more stable tanker mooring.
✓ AIN05-SR-5/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. develop a plan, i.e., a standard ship mooring scheme, for the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin. This scheme should be adapted to the dimensions and berthing side of the vessels accepted at the terminal, as well as expected meteorological conditions. It should include a graphical representation of a moored vessel at the terminal, indicating the dimensions of the mooring bollards and service platform, their mutual distances, the distance of the mooring buoy from the eastern bollard, a graphical depiction of mooring elements and their limitations (safe/allowed working load – SWL/WLL, permitted number of ropes per mooring element), fender layout, etc.
This process should be guided by the findings of the Marine study of the terminal (conducted in 2020) and be carried out in collaboration with the Port Authority of Split, the Harbor Master’s Office Split, and Split port pilots. The completed plan must be transparent and readily available to incoming vessels, as well as to all parties involved in mooring/unmooring operations at the terminal, including on-duty services (pilots, tugboats, mooring personnel, harbour master’s office, etc.).
✓ AIN05-SR-6/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d., prior to the mooring of each tanker (regardless of whether the vessel is in cabotage or international navigation) at berth no. 2 of the INA tanker terminal in Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin, ensure the presence of an authorized and adequately qualified expert (“Loading Master”) during the handling of hazardous substances in bulk. If necessary, this person should also be present for the entire duration of the vessel’s stay at the terminal (in case of delays/interruptions in handling hazardous substances, prolonged waiting for departure, adverse weather conditions, malfunctions, damages, etc.), coordinating cargo operations and ensuring compliance with regulations, agreed safety measures, and good marine practices.
✓ AIN05-SR-7/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. ensure reliable and high-quality communication between the vessel and the operational (technical) staff at the terminal, which must be established and maintained throughout the vessel’s stay at the INA tanker terminal of the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin. To this end, it is recommended to use a fixed ship-to-terminal telephone line, as well as a secondary (backup) communication method via portable radio devices.
✓ AIN05-SR-8/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. define threshold values for the (average) wind speed in 30-second time intervals for:
Suspension of cargo handling
Disconnection of cargo handling hoses
Vessel departure
It is advised to follow the conclusions from the marine study of the terminal (conducted in 2020) and consult with the Port Authority of Split, the Harbor Master Office Split, and the port pilots. These defined values should also be used when completing the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist and should be strictly adhered to throughout the vessel’s stay at the INA tanker terminal of the Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin. When signing the Ship/Shore Safety Checklist, it is necessary to emphasize to the responsible vessel personnel that the threshold (average) wind speed values refer to 30-second intervals.
✓ AIN05-SR-9/2022
Following recommendation AIN05-SR-8/2021, it is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. adjust the anemometer at the INA tanker terminal in Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin so that, in addition to measuring instantaneous wind gusts, it can also measure and record 30-second average wind speeds, which are more relevant for comparison with agreed and prescribed wind speed limits.
Additionally, it is recommended to enable electronic real-time access to wind speed and direction data for the authorized (technical) personnel of the terminal operator (“Loading Master”) and, if possible, for the Harbor Master’s Office Split, LOC Split, and the Split pilot service.
✓ AIN05-SR-10/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. establish internal regulations mandating that, in the event of an anemometer failure or the inability to reliably determine wind speed and/or direction at the INA tanker terminal in Kaštelanski Basin C of the Split North Port in Solin, the relevant parties be notified. The anemometer malfunction should be rectified as soon as possible, and while the vessel is moored, terminal personnel should rely on the vessel’s anemometer. Until a reliable method of measuring wind speed and direction at the terminal is restored, prevailing and forecasted weather conditions should be assessed to determine whether vessel arrival, stay, and departure can be conducted safely.
✓ AIN05-SR-11/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. ensures the regular receipt of officially recognized weather reports, warnings, and forecasts, specifically prepared for the precise micro-location of the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin.
✓ AIN05-SR-12/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. acquires the latest, sixth edition of the ISGOTT (2020) professional publication for use at the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin, to be utilized as additional guidance for the safest possible operations at the terminal and in the ship-to-terminal interface.
✓ AIN05-SR-13/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. develops a Terminal Operating Manual that includes clearly defined standard procedures and processes at the terminal, updated diagrams/sketches, and other information relevant exclusively to the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin. The manual must be available in a language understandable to all relevant personnel. It should also define the roles and responsibilities of the terminal’s operational personnel, as well as procedures for (certain) emergency situations, such as fire, pollution caused by cargo spills, or urgent medical intervention.
✓ AIN05-SR-14/2022
Following the recommendation AIN05-SR-13/2022, it is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. develop a specific emergency/contingency plan for emergency situations occurring while a ship is docked at the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin. These emergencies should be identified through a risk assessment process. It is recommended that the plan comply with the guidelines of the latest, 6th edition of the ISGOTT professional publication (20.3 – “Terminal emergency planning – plan components and procedures”). The plan should include prescribed procedures for: additional securing of the ship at berth, emergency cargo operation shutdown, emergency departure from the terminal, emergency service call procedures, and coordination with local authorities and other organizations. After mooring, the plan must be confirmed with the ship’s responsible officer and made available (and comprehensible) to all involved operational personnel on both the ship and the terminal.
✓ AIN05-SR-15/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d., in collaboration with the Port Authority of Split, develops an informational handbook (brochure) on the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin. This handbook should consolidate all relevant terminal information, facilitating better awareness for users and easier data exchange and updates. It is recommended that the handbook complies with the guidelines of the latest, 6th edition of the ISGOTT professional publication (15.2.2 – “Terminal Information Booklet”) and the 1st edition of the 2018 OCIMF publication “Marine Terminal Information Booklet – Guidelines and Recommendations”. The handbook should be available in both Croatian and English.
✓ AIN05-SR-16/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. registers and submits information about the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin to the OCIMF website, which contains a global database of relevant tanker terminal information (MTIS – “Marine Terminal Information System”). This will enable terminal users to access this information before the ship is moored at the terminal.
✓ AIN05-SR-17/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. finds an effective way to enhance and promote a safety culture and safety awareness, ensuring consistent implementation and adequate supervision. The emphasis should be on the principle “safety before commercial”, minimizing commercial pressures that could compromise safety at the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin.
✓ AIN05-SR-18/2022
It is recommended that INA – Industrija nafte, d.d. ensures that all professional/operational personnel at the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin attend the D13A training course – Basic training for oil tanker and chemical tanker cargo operations as soon as possible.
✓ AIN05-SR-19/2022
It is recommended that the Port Authority of Split, within the amendments and supplements to the Regulations on special safety, security, and other measures for handling hazardous materials in the Port of Split, stipulates in Article 35 that a tanker ship must be moored securely, allowing for a quick departure if necessary. The ship should be moored bow towards the port exit (starboard side alongside the terminal), except in special cases requiring technical adjustments, for which prior approval from the Harbor Master’s Office Split and the Port Authority of Split is required. While at berth, the tanker must have emergency towing wires (“fire wires”) of appropriate diameter and length, firmly secured to bollards at the bow and stern and lowered to one meter above sea level, allowing tugboats to attach and tow the vessel away from the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin in case of an emergency.
✓ AIN05-SR-20/2022
It is recommended that the Port Authority of Split regulate, through relevant regulations, the obligation of maintaining a constant state of readiness of essential services (mooring teams, tugboats, pilots, floating barrier operators, and firefighters) during the entire stay of a vessel at Berth No. 2 of the INA tanker terminal at the Kaštela Basin C in the Split North Port in Solin. This will ensure a timely response to emergency calls in exceptional situations and allow for the safe and rapid departure of the vessel from the port in case of necessity.
✓ AIN05-SR-21/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split, following the recommendation AIN05-SR-20/2022, to establish by regulations the obligation for the authorized professional of the concessionaire (“Loading Master”) at berth no. 2 of the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin, that, in cases of unfavorable weather forecasts and/or deteriorating weather conditions, as well as in other emergency situations/dangers requiring urgent assistance to the ship/terminal, to ensure timely presence and prompt action from the relevant services (mooring operators, pilots, floating protective barrier operators, tugboats, firefighters, etc.).
✓ AIN05-SR-22/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split to establish by regulations the limit values (current and average) of wind speed for the safe maneuvering of tankers in the Split port. It is suggested to follow the conclusions from the Marine study of the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin (prepared in 2020) and to consult with the Split Port Authority and pilots of the Split port.
✓ AIN05-SR-23/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split to establish by regulations the limit visibility conditions for the maneuvering of tankers in the port. It is suggested to follow the conclusions from the Marine study of the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin (prepared in 2020) and to consult with the Split Port Authority and pilots of the Split port. Also, in cases of urgency/emergency, it is recommended to exceptionally approve the departure of all tankers (regardless of their size) from the port during nighttime to eliminate threats to the safety of people, property, or the sea and marine environment.
✓ AIN05-SR-24/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split to establish by regulations the limit visibility conditions for the manoeuvring of tankers in the port. It is suggested to follow the conclusions from the Marine study of the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin (prepared in 2020) and to consult with the Split Port Authority and pilots of the Split port. Also, in cases of urgency/emergency, it is recommended to exceptionally approve the departure of all tankers (regardless of their size) from the port during nighttime to eliminate threats to the safety of people, property, or the sea and marine environment.
✓ AIN05-SR-25/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split to adjust the number of available tugboats and the bollard pull force of each tugboat to the needs of ships allowed to dock at the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin, taking into account the exceptional circumstances that may arise, where additional tugboats and/or greater tug power may be required, as well as the real needs for towing services of other vessels docking in Split port, especially in emergency situations.
✓ AIN05-SR-26/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split, in the amendments to the Port Order and the conditions for using the port area of the Split Port Authority, to establish regular meetings for port coordination and planning. The purpose of these meetings is to plan and make joint decisions regarding the approval and allocation of moorings for vessels in the port, as well as to define the specific needs/requirements of each vessel, with prior identification and assessment of all potential risks related to the mooring/untethering/moving and stay of the vessel at the designated mooring. The frequency and method of holding the meetings and the composition of participants may be adjusted as needed.
✓ AIN05-SR-27/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split, in accordance with the ISGOTT expert publication recommendations, to establish by regulations that self-tensioning mooring winches should not be used in automatic mode (automatic loosening and tightening of ropes) during the vessel’s stay at the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin.
✓ AIN05-SR-28/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split to certify and determine the safe/allowed working load (SWL/WLL) of all mooring elements (bollards, cleats, and mooring buoys) at the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin. The obtained load values should be clearly marked on these mooring elements, and the information should be provided to all parties involved in the operations at the terminal (INA – Industry of Oil, pilots, tugboats, mooring operators, ship agents, etc.).
✓ AIN05-SR-29/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split, in the amendments to the Port Order and the conditions for using the port area of the Split Port Authority and on the website of the Split Port Authority, to update and harmonize data on the depths of the INA tanker terminal in the Kaštela Bay C of Split’s North Port in Solin (based on the most recent depth measurements in the terminal area). It is also recommended to harmonize/supplement the data on the lengths of each individual mooring (1, 2, and 3) and the maximum allowed draft of vessels that can be accepted at each specific mooring.
✓ AIN05-SR-30/2022
It is recommended to the Port Authority of Split to include in the Regulation governing special safety, protective, and other measures for handling dangerous substances in the Split port, and in the Regulation determining the class and quantity of dangerous substances handled in the port, definitions of “dangerous chemicals” and “polluting substances,” as per the national Regulation on handling dangerous substances, conditions, and methods of transporting in Marine traffic, loading and unloading dangerous substances, bulk and other cargo in ports, and preventing the spread of spilled oils in ports (Official Gazette, numbers 51/05, 127/10, 34/13, 88/13, 79/15, 53/16, 41/17, 23/20, 128/20), in order to harmonize with the above-mentioned regulation and to cover all types of dangerous, polluting, and/or harmful cargo handled in Split port.
✓ AIN05-SR-31/2022
It is recommended to the company Augusta Due S.r.l. to ensure that voyage planning, i.e., transferring it to nautical charts and clearly delineating safe waters from areas unsafe for navigation on the nautical charts, is done in accordance with established professional rules. It is also recommended to ensure that this is prepared as soon as possible.
✓ AIN05-SR-32/2022
It is recommended to the company Augusta Due S.r.l. to install load sensors on the mooring winches on ships (load sensors), with the possibility of local and remote reading of values (e.g., from the bridge), on all newbuildings (over 16000 dwt) that the company will manage in the future. It is also recommended to assess the feasibility of installing these sensors on existing ships under their management.
✓ AIN05-SR-33/2022
It is recommended to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure to remind VTS, port authorities, and MRCC Rijeka, by internal letter, of the provisions of Article 75 of the Marine Code (Official Gazette, numbers 181/04, 76/07, 146/08, 61/11, 56/13, 26/15, 17/19), which allow these entities to order the temporary closure of a specific part of the waterway, port, or part of the port for Marine traffic for the purpose of protecting the safety of navigation and the environment.
✓ AIN05-SR-34/2022
It is recommended to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure to remind port authorities by internal letter of the provisions of Articles 5 and 19 of the Regulation on handling dangerous substances, conditions and methods of transporting dangerous substances, bulk and other cargo in ports, and preventing the spread of spilled oils in ports (Official Gazette, numbers 51/05, 127/10, 34/13, 88/13, 79/15, 53/16, 41/17, 23/20, 128/20), which require the establishment of monitoring/control and the implementation of safety measures when handling dangerous substances in the port to ensure compliance with general and specific safety measures for handling specific types of dangerous substances.
✓ AIN05-SR-35/2022
It is recommended to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, in the amendments to the Regulation on handling dangerous substances, conditions and methods of transporting dangerous substances in Marine traffic, loading and unloading dangerous substances, bulk and other cargo in ports, and preventing the spread of spilled oils in ports (Official Gazette, numbers 51/05, 127/10, 34/13, 88/13, 79/15, 53/16, 41/17, 23/20, 128/20), and in accordance with the recommendations from the ISGOTT expert publication, to prescribe that self-tensioning mooring winches should not be used in automatic mode (automatic loosening and tightening of ropes) during a tanker’s stay in tanker ports or tanker terminals.
✓ AIN05-SR-36/2022
It is recommended to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, in the amendments to the Regulation on handling dangerous substances, conditions and methods of transporting dangerous substances in Marine traffic, loading and unloading dangerous substances, bulk and other cargo in ports, and preventing the spread of spilled oils in ports (Official Gazette, numbers 51/05, 127/10, 34/13, 88/13, 79/15, 53/16, 41/17, 23/20, 128/20), and in accordance with the recommendations from the ISGOTT expert publication, to prescribe that self-tensioning mooring winches should not be used in automatic mode (automatic loosening and tightening of ropes) during a tanker’s stay in tanker ports or tanker terminals.
✓ AIN05-SR-37/2022
It is recommended to the Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, in the amendments to the Regulation on handling dangerous substances, conditions and methods of transporting dangerous substances in Marine traffic, loading and unloading dangerous substances, bulk and other cargo in ports, and preventing the spread of spilled oils in ports (Official Gazette, numbers 51/05, 127/10, 34/13, 88/13, 79/15, 53/16, 41/17, 23/20, 128/20), Article 19, to prescribe guidelines for attending the D13A course – Basic competence for work on oil and chemical tankers (“Basic training for oil tanker and chemical tanker cargo operations”) for all professional/operational personnel at tanker ports or terminals.
✓ AIN05-SR-38/2022
It is recommended to the Croatian Hydrographic Institute, in preparation for the new edition of their publication Pilot I. Adriatic Sea – Eastern Coast, to update the meteorological data for the Split port (using the most recent official data available), especially regarding the impact of the bora wind in Split’s North Port. It is also recommended to inform the UKHO about these updates for potential inclusion in their Admiralty Sailing Directions: Mediterranean Pilot Volume 3 (NP47).
✓ AIN05-SR-39/2022
It is recommended to the Croatian Hydrographic Institute, in preparation for the new edition of their publication Pilot I. Adriatic Sea – Eastern Coast, to update the meteorological data for the Split port (using the most recent official data available), especially regarding the impact of the bora wind in Split’s North Port. It is also recommended to inform the UKHO about these updates for potential inclusion in their Admiralty Sailing Directions: Mediterranean Pilot Volume 3 (NP47).