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News Statement Four: Norgas Cathinka Incident September 26 September 30, 2012
29 Sept 2012
Norgas Carriers Pte. Ltd., Singapore said today the data from the Voyage Data Recorder ("Black Box") from its managed vessel the Norgas Cathinka has successfully been recovered and is now in the safe custody of the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee (NTSC).
Data from the "Black Box" includes voice and radar evidence from the bridge of the vessel which collided with a ferry in the Sunda Strait in the early hours of September 26, 2012.
The data was removed under the guidance and control of the NTSC officials. Also the police was on the vessel during this process.
Norgas Carriers believes the Black Box data contains vital evidence about the movements of both ships before the ships collided.
The "Black Box" records the movements of the Norgas Cathinka in the moments before the collision as well as the movements of the ferry KMP Bahuga Jaya. It also records communication to and from the ship and records voices on the bridge. It also records the movement of other ships and their AIS identification.
Both ships hit each other on the bow and after the collision the ferry lost its stability and Norgas Carriers believes the evidence shows this probably caused it to sink with the tragic loss of several lives.
The Norgas Cathinka is anchored safely at Merak Roads, Indonesia and official investigations into the incident are continuing. The ship is in need of temporary repairs and the damages are preliminary assessed to be about US$250,000.
Norgas Carriers, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of I.M. Skaugen SE of Norway (www.skaugen.com), is co-operating fully with the inquiry into the incident which is being conducted by the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore will also launch an investigation. Norgas Carriers has also launched an independent investigation to be performed by TMC (Marine Consultants) in the UK.
A relief master has now taken command of the vessel and a chief officer has also joined as both the master and chief officer continue to help with inquiries into the incident.
Norgas Carriers today gave further details on the moments after the collision after company officials had reviewed the "Black Box" data.
After the collision, it was necessary for the Master to establish the Norgas Cathinka’s position and ensure it was not in danger of sinking or gas leaking from its cargo due to the impact of the collision.
The ship was carrying a dangerous explosive cargo (propylene) and the master had to ensure there was no leakage in its cargo tanks or pipes with the consequent risk of fire and/or explosion after the collision.
The master judged it was impossible to immediately stop and / or drop anchor in the busy and narrow shipping lane.
He had to consider the safety of his vessel and the safety of other vessels in close vicinity. After navigating to avoid both shallow water and an island to prevent grounding, he returned to the scene of the collision.
There were many craft engaged in a rescue and it was deemed unsafe for the gas carrier with potential gas leakages to be around these in case of fire.
He took the decision that a further collision also could occur so he moved the Norgas Cathinka to a close by and safer position and dropped anchor. At this point there were radio contact with the harbour authorities and the AIS identification was visible to all at all times.
Morits Skaugen, Chief Executive Officer of I.M. Skaugen, said today: "From what we have learned so far, we believe our Captain has exercised sound judgement and made the right decision when attempting to minimise the risk of a further collision and a possible explosion due to the hazardous cargo on board our vessel. He followed company regulations and international law in this process"
Mr. Skaugen stressed the Norgas Cathinka’s master, crew and the Norgas Carriers management would continue to co-operate fully with the inquiry.
"We shall not speculate, nor respond to speculation and we are totally determined to find out the truth about how this terrible accident happened," he added.
"I express my condolences to the families who have lost their relatives and we will assist as much as we can to help out in the situation," he added.
The Norgas Cathinka carries the required and customary insurances for collision damages and Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurances for relevant third party liability.
For media inquiries, contact Edward Ion, Helix Media:
M: +65 91116871
News Statement Three: Norgas Cathinka Incident September 26
28 September 2012
Norgas Carriers Private Limited can confirm its managed vessel the Norgas Cathinka is now anchored safely at Merak Roads, Indonesia and that investigations into the incident on September 26 2012 are continuing.
The master of the Norgas Cathinka, its chief officer and an ordinary seaman are continuing to assist local police in their investigations into the incident in which the vessel was in collision with a Ro Ro Passenger ferry which later sank.
Norgas Carriers today appointed a leading firm of international maritime consultants to conduct an independent investigation into the September 26 incident in the Sunda Strait.
Local reports continue to say that eight people are still missing presumed dead.
It is also reported that The National Transportation Safety Committee of Indonesia has now assumed responsibility for the independent inquiry.
Norgas Carriers notes other local reports alleging the Norgas Cathinka did not stop immediately following the incident in the early hours of September 26.
The company wishes to point out the Master has reported the Norgas Cathinka stopped as soon as it was safe to do so following the incident.
It also says that such an allegation is speculation and does not help in the authorities’ efforts to conduct a fair and impartial investigation.
Morits Skaugen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IM Skaugen, said today: “Our sole aim here is to ensure that the absolute truth comes out about the events which led up to the accident on September 26.
“It is our firm intention to co-operate in every way we can with the on-going investigations in Indonesia. It is important the investigation is impartial and contains all the facts.”
“I believe the outcome of the investigation will uncover the full truth of the incident and that our Master did everything he could under the circumstances after the incident.”
Norgas Carriers, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of IM Skaugen, also confirms the existence of a Voyage Data Recorder (“Black Box”) on the ship’s bridge and the data from this will be jointly taken from the ship in the presence of Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee representatives.
The Harbour Master at the Port of Merak and his technical representatives will also be present at this hand over.
For media inquiries, contact Edward Ion, Helix Media:
+65 91116871/ edward.ion@helixmedia.asia
I.M. Skaugen - update incident involving Norgas vessel off the coast of Indonesia 26 09 2012
Norgas Carriers Pte Ltd of Singapore reports its operated vessel the Norgas Cathinka has anchored off the port of Bakauheni in Indonesia and local coast guards have now left the vessel.
The move follows an incident earlier today in which the vessel was involved in a collision with a Ro-Ro passenger ferry Bahuga Jaya near Merak.
A search and rescue operation, which was mounted immediately after the incident at 05.40 hours this morning, is continuing.
Local but as yet unconfirmed reports in Indonesia say that eight people are still missing. More than 100 passengers from the ferry were rescued.
We are awaiting Flag State and Classification society confirmation of seaworthiness of the vessel and the integrity of the cargo. Upon such approval we will relocate the vessel in cooperation with the authorities to a safe anchorage. This will enable the authorities to complete their investigation.
The Master has reported that our vessel sustained structural damage to its hull but there has been no ingress of water and there is no danger of the vessel sinking.
We can confirm the Norgas Cathinka's cargo of Propylene is secure and there is no pollution or environmental damage from our vessel.
Local police are still on board the vessel and our Master and crew are co-operating fully with on-going investigations.
A team of senior crisis response executives from Norgas has now arrived in Indonesia and Norgas Carriers stresses again it will continue to co-operate with inquiries into the causes of the incident.
Morits Skaugen, IM Skaugen Chief Executive Officer, said: "I wish to personally place on record my regret and sorrow over this sad and unfortunate incident.
"I also wish to offer my condolences to the families who have lost loved ones today and stress again that as a responsible ship owner for almost 100 years, it will be our company's absolute duty to discover the truth about how this happened.
"We shall be unstinting in our efforts to discover the facts of the incident and we are giving full co-operation to the investigations into the incident which continue".
Norgas Carriers will issue another statement once there are developments.
Media Inquiries: Edward Ion, Helix Media, M: +65 91116871
I.M. Skaugen SE
If you have any questions, please contact:
Bente Flø, Chief Financial Officer, on telephone +47 23 12 03 30/+47 91 64 56 08 or by e-mail: bente.flo@skaugen.com. This press release is also available on the Internet at our website: http://www.skaugen.com.
I.M. Skaugen SE (IMS) is a marine transport service company, with a focus on Innovative Maritime Solutions. Our core business is the seaborne transport and logistics of liquefied gas, such as petrochemical gases, LPG and LNG.
IMS currently operates 39 vessels worldwide, which are engaged in the transportation of petrochemical gases, chemicals, LPG and LNG, the marine transfer of crude oil and LNG, as well as LNG terminal management. We also have in-house
capability for the development and design of specialized high quality vessels within our niche.
IMS employs approximately 2.000 people, with 20 nationalities represented. We manage and operate our activities from our offices in Singapore, Shanghai, Bahrain, Houston, St. Petersburg, Sunderland and Oslo. IMS is listed on the Oslo Stock
Exchange under the ticker code, IMSK.
I.M. Skaugen - incident involving Norgas vessel off the coast of Indonesia 26 09 2012
I.M. Skaugen (IMSK) announces that earlier today (September 26, 2012) a vessel operated by our wholly owned subsidiary Norgas Carriers Private Limited of Singapore was involved in an incident off the coast of Indonesia.
Our subsidiary Norgas Carriers Private Limited activated an emergency response after the Norgas Cathinka, was involved in a collision with a Ro-Ro passenger ferry near the port of Merak, Indonesia.
The collision took place in the Sunda Strait at 05.40 hours local time. The master of the Norgas Cathinka has reported the crew and vessel are safe but that a number of passengers on the ferry are reported missing.
A company crisis response team from the Norgas Carriers' Singapore office were immediately activated and they are now en route to the accident scene.
The I.M. Skaugen Group has the customary and required P&I insurance (protection and indemnity insurance) for all its vessels and for all its operations, which covers against all third-party damages and any personnel injuries.
The IMS Group has full cover for its Hull and Machinery damages. The Group does not have any "loss of hire insurance" with third party insurance companies.
Norgas Carriers Private Limited immediately offered assistance in on-going search and rescue operations and our Master later reported that 119 passengers were rescued from the ferry.
The Norgas Cathinka, a Singapore registered LPG/Chemical carrier, is now anchored in the vicinity and the ship's master and crew are assisting the local port authorities and police in their investigations.
The Master further reports that our vessel sustained structural damage to its hull but there has been no ingress of water and there is no danger of the vessel sinking.
We can confirm the Norgas Cathinka's cargo of Propylene is secure and there is no pollution or environmental damage from our vessel.
Norgas Carriers Private Limited continues to monitor the situation closely, is co-operating with all local authorities and has launched its own investigation into the incident.
For media inquiries, please contact Edward Ion at Helix Media : +65 91116871
Wednesday September 26, 2012
Norgas Carriers Private Limited of Singapore has this morning activated an emergency response after one of its managed vessels, the Norgas Cathinka, was involved in a collision with a Ro-Ro passenger ferry near the port of Merak, Indonesia.
The collision took place in the Sunda Strait at 05.40 hours local time. The master of the Norgas Cathinka has reported the crew and vessel are safe but that a number of passengers on the ferry are reported missing.
A senior crisis response team from the Norgas Carriers’ Singapore office were immediately activated and they are now en route to the accident scene.
Norgas Carriers Private Limited immediately offered assistance in on-going search and rescue operations and our Master later reported that 119 passengers were rescued from the ferry.
The Norgas Cathinka, a Singapore registered LPG/Chemical carrier, is now anchored in the vicinity and the ship’s master and crew are assisting the local port authorities and police in their investigations.
The Master further reports that our vessel sustained structural damage to its hull but there has been no ingress of water and there is no danger of the vessel sinking.
We can confirm the Norgas Cathinka’s cargo of Propylene is secure and there is no pollution or environmental damage from our vessel.
Norgas Carriers Private Limited continues to monitor the situation closely, is co-operating with all local authorities and has launched its own investigation into the incident.
We shall issue another statement about this incident when we have further information.
For further information: please contact Edward Ion, Helix Media, communications advisors to Norgas Carriers Private Limited.
+65 9111 6871
I.M. Skaugen press release
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