C6/​1999M Ro-ro Ves­sel ms IN­OWRO­CLAW, Ground­ing off Helsinki 25.11.1999

25.11.1999

Polish registered Ro-Ro vessel ms INOWROCLAW sailed under pilotage from Helsinki West Harbour bound for Poland. Soon after departure there were difficulties experienced with the steering of the ship. She did not want to steer to starboard. Approximately after 15 minutes after the departure the ship was stopped and anchored. She was then close to the southern bank of Suomenlinna Fortress Island, and in the strong southerly wind she drifted aground.

The steering machinery had probably broken down at the departure from the quay so that the port rudder did not follow the helm, although the rudder indicator showed opposite. It is possible that the port rudder has been steering to port most of the time during the voyage.

INOWROCLAW got damages to her bottom plating. There were no injuries to persons or environmental damages.