C10/2001M MS PAMELA, Grounding in Kihti on 2.10.2001

The Finnish general cargo vessel PAMELA sailed at 16:35 October 1, 2001 from Olkiluoto port and was bound for Klaipeida, Lithuania. She had a cargo of 975 tons. She headed through the Archipelago Sea following the Kihti fairway. At 02:55 hours the light of Tosholmskobben was passed and the vessel was headed to the light sector of Snöbådan at the southern Kihti area. The Officer on Watch was alone in the bridge as the look out had been sent to call up the next watch. The OOW navigated optically using the fairway lights as well as using the radar. The bridge was equipped with an electronic chart but the system was not in use. The equipment was out of order. As the vessel was in the white sector of Torsholmskobben light, her autopilot was set on course heading to the Snöbåda light. By using the radar and also a search light the OOW tried to find the spar buoy covering a shallow on the eastern side of the fairway. To his surprise the vessel grounded lightly to the shallow.

The damage control took place preliminary in nearby area and later in the port of Naantali with the attendance of classification society’s representative. The damages were minor and the vessel got a permission to carry on trading.

C10/2001M Report (pdf, 0.44 Mt)