C6/​1998M Pas­sen­ger Ves­sel ms SAN­DRA D, Ground­ing off Es­poo on 17.5.1998

01.12.2002

The passenger vessel SANDRA D was under way 17.5.1998 along the 3,0 m fairway southeast of Suvisaaristo. As she had passed the starboard spar buoy south of the Bergö island, the decision was made to turn back and follow the fairway leading north of the Storaisarn island. One passenger made a suggestion that led to captain’s decision to turn. The turn was made first turning to starboard and then to port to make use of the relatively narrow fairway at that point. During the turning manoeuvre SANDRA D drifted too far to the south-east of the fairway, and eventually hit the 0,3 m grounding marked by the starboard lateral spar buoy. The speed during the grounding was 3 – 3,5 knots.

The bow hit the ground first and rose about 0,25 m as the vessel stopped. The wind turned the vessel until the propeller and the propeller shaft hit the ground. After the grounding, the vessel did not leak. Neither was the stability reduced to a dangerous extent.

Following surveys by scuba divers at the accident location, it was found that the propeller and the propeller shaft was damaged. Additionally, the forefoot of the bow showed minor damages.

Part of the passengers were evacuated by a local traffic vessel to the Högkopplan Island, which is located nearby the location of the accident. The rest of the passengers were transported to the shore by the rescue vessel MICROLOG.

SANDRA D was pulled off the ground by the tug MERILINTU at about 19.00 hours and was after that towed to the dock of Vuosaari.