Wind change caused ship to veer off course in St. John’s Harbour

The Port Manager Darwin Telemaque has lauded the exceptional bravery and quick thinking of the pilot and captain of a car carrier ship who managed to avert a potentially dangerous situation a few days ago

Telemaque said the ship, which was loaded with approximately 100 vehicles, experienced a sudden change in wind direction as it was leaving a Deep-Water Harbour berth.

He told the media that the wind abruptly shifted from the northeast to the southeast, significantly challenging the ship’s departure.

Telemaque detailed how the unexpected wind gust started pushing the ship towards another vessel. In a remarkable display of swift decision-making, the pilot and captain took decisive action to accelerate forward, narrowly avoiding a possible collision.

As a result of their efforts, the ship came to rest on a small mud bank just outside the channel.

Fortunately, with the assistance of additional port personnel, the vessel was successfully freed, and thorough inspections confirmed that no damage occurred. Following this incident, the ship resumed its journey to St. Kitts.

Telemaque specifically commended the pilot for their keen situational awareness and adept decision-making in the face of intense pressure.

According to Telemaque, the ship underwent thorough inspections, including examinations by divers, underwater cameras, and the crew.

The inspections revealed that there was no damage to the vessel’s internal or external parts, and it has since sailed to St Kitts.

Telemaque also mentioned that the boat is in good working order, and the captain and crew are content after enduring the ordeal for over three hours.

Additionally, Telemaque highlighted the challenging nature of the pilots’ job, especially when having to navigate through various weather patterns, visibility issues, currents, waves, and wind.

Furthermore, Telemaque noted that pilots often face challenges such as vessels being grounded, which has occurred multiple times at Crabbes, prompting the dredging of the channel.

Finally, Telemaque stated that under local laws, the pilot is not held liable in such instances, but the master and captain carry the responsibility.