Half a Litre of Rum Consumed Before Lysblink Grounding

The Scottish Marine Accidents Investigation Branch has released its findings on the February 18 grounding of the cargo vessel Lysblink Seaways, and it alleges that the chief mate had consumed half a liter of rum before running the ship up on rocks at Kilchoan.

The report found that "the OOW lost situational awareness while under the influence of alcohol."

Additional factors included having no lookout on the bridge, a disabled alarm system, and other safety shortcomings on board.

The chief mate was relieved at 1800hrs the night of the grounding, and while he was off duty he received a phone call which caused him distress. He is alleged to have consumed two thirds of a bottle of rum while he was off duty. He returned to the bridge and took over the watch at midnight. The vessel's track varied considerably from the planned route over the next two hours, and she narrowly escaped one grounding before finding the rocks at Kilchoan.

She was making 13 knots shortly before the accident and was found to have run aground at full speed.

The report indicates that the AB on watch was not on the bridge before the accident; he told the vessel's master that he “had been keeping his watch in the deck office.”

First responders administered breathalyser tests and found the chief mate’s alcohol limit at eight times the legally permissible amount. The master and second mate both recorded a zero reading.

The owner of the vessel had a zero tolerance alcohol policy.

Authorities estimate that the Lysblink Seaways spilled 25 tons of fuel oil, after at least one hull breach and two further days of pounding onto the rocks before she could be salvaged. She was scrapped after a drydock inspection.

The full report is available here.