Investigation highlights need for clear instructions for target laying and management of navigational risks

Anchored floating target devices were used as targets during the firing exercise. The vessel ran aground in connection with recovering these floating target devices. No personal injuries or environmental damage resulted from the accident.

”The grounding was caused by a combination of factors: the precise position of the target devices had not been determined before recovering them. Roles and duties related to steering changed frequently on the bridge and there was a lack of consensus on people's roles – who was the officer of the watch, who was responsible for steering and who was responsible for navigational safety,” describes Investigator-in-Charge Risto Haimila.

”Before the third target device was recovered, the responsibility for steering was transferred on the bridge, but the precise location of the ship was not confirmed, as a result of which the risk caused by nearby shallows was not recognised and the ship ran aground,” Haimila adds.

The vessel was in no danger of sinking and the measures taken by the crew were sufficient to get the flooding caused by the grounding under control. Other nearby Navy vessels helped with the salvage operations and there was no need for urgent assistance by other authorities. Conscripts from Pyhäranta were evacuated onto other Navy vessels as a precaution.

The Safety Investigation Authority, Finland issued the Navy three safety recommendations due to the accident. The first recommendation is related to instructions for the use of target devices, particularly their structure and maintaining their exact position. The second recommendation is related to risk management for electronic navigational systems: The Navy does not have guidelines for settings determining the information displayed by electronic chart and information display systems or assessment of reliability of information indicated by these systems. The third recommendation is related to preparedness for damage control: Access to critical areas for damage control and usability of equipment must be ensured as part of exercise activities.

Link to summary

Further information:
Risto Haimila, Investigator-in-charge, tel. +358 2951 50730

‍