Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency

Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency

Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency

Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency

Marine Accident Involving the Self-Elevating Platform Uljanik 520 and the Service Vessel Silni – Pula, November 13, 2017

Marine Accident Involving the Self-Elevating Platform Uljanik 520 and the Service Vessel Silni – Pula, November 13, 2017

Marine Accident Involving the Self-Elevating Platform Uljanik 520 and the Service Vessel Silni – Pula, November 13, 2017

Summary:

On November 13, 2017, between approximately 09:12 and 09:20 AM local time (UTC +1), a serious Marine accident occurred at the Uljanik Shipyard in Pula and later at the Molo Carbone pier in the Free Zone of Pula Port, which borders the shipyard. The accident involved the breakaway of the moored newly built self-elevating (“jack-up”) platform Uljanik 520(future “Apollo”), its uncontrolled movement downwind, and its subsequent collision with the moored platform supply and personnel transport vessel Silni. Following the collision, the platform’s bow struck the aforementioned pier, then its aft port side impacted the shipyard’s shoreline, bringing it to a stop at the point of impact.

Damage was sustained to the shipyard’s shoreline, from which the platform broke away, as well as to the Free Zone pier and the shipyard’s shoreline where the platform later collided. The platform suffered damages on its starboard side (due to the breakaway), the bow (from the collision and impact), and the aft port side (from the impact). Some equipment on the platform was also damaged. No pollution of the sea or marine environment from the platform was observed.

As a result of the collision, the vessel Silni was trapped between the pier and the platform, causing it to lean against the pier and inflict minor damage to it, while the vessel itself sustained significant structural damage, leading to its eventual sinking at the berth Cargo on board the vessel was also damaged. Solid materials from the deck polluted the sea near the vessel, while fuel and oil from the ship, carried by wind and currents, contaminated the sea, the Free Zone pier, nearby shorelines, small boats, and road vehicles.

For safety reasons, immediately before the collision, all shipyard workers and contractors on the platform took shelter in the superstructure area, while all persons on board Silni quickly evacuated to the pier’s shore. Consequently, no injuries or fatalities occurred as a result of this accident.

Investigation details:

Investigation ID 342-27/17-01/201
Start of investigation 15.11.2017.
End of investigation 30.08.2022.
Type
Status

Documents:

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Safety recommendations:

The Air, Maritime and Railway Traffic Accidents Investigation Agency, based on the conducted investigation of this accident, in order to increase the safety of the railway system, issues the following safety recommendations:

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