Grounding of a passenger vessel in the approaches to Eastham lock, River Mersey.

MAIB’s report on the investigation of the grounding of the passenger ferry Royal Iris of the Mersey at the entrance to Eastham lock, River Mersey, on 10 July 2016 is now published.

The report contains details of what happened and the subsequent actions taken.

On 10 July 2016, the domestic passenger ferry Royal Iris of the Mersey (Royal Iris),
with 66 passengers and 9 crew on board, grounded on the submerged remains
of a mooring dolphin when approaching Eastham locks at the entrance to the
Manchester Ship Canal. Both of the ferry’s engines stopped but the crew quickly let
go an anchor. The ferry’s starboard engine was soon re-started but its port engine
was disabled. The port propeller, shaft, stern seal and rudder were damaged. A
minor flood in the shaft space was contained using onboard equipment and the
ferry was able to safely manoeuvre and make fast alongside another vessel on a
nearby quay. There were no injuries and there was no pollution.
The MAIB investigation identified that:
• When Royal Iris struck the submerged dolphin the bridge team were
navigating solely by eye and incorrectly assessed that the ferry was in safe
water.
• The adjustment of the ferry’s usual approach to Eastham lock to take account
of a departing dredger reduced the margin for navigational error.
• The bridge team’s attention was focused on the dredger, which led to reduced
spatial awareness.
• The crew’s actions following the grounding were immediate and effective.
• Elements of the information shown on the Admiralty chart had not been
updated and were inaccurate, but this did not contribute to the accident.