Loading…
2020-07-25 · Pointe d'Esny reef, Mauritius · Capesize bulk carrier · Panama flag
The Panamanian-flagged Capesize bulker Wakashio (Nagashiki Shipping, Japan; Mitsui OSK operator) grounded on the Pointe d'Esny coral reef off south-east Mauritius at 19:25 on 25 July 2020, en route from China to Brazil in ballast. The bridge team had altered course to obtain crew Wi-Fi signal from a coastal cell tower — a widely reported cause supported by the AIS track. The vessel remained stranded for 12 days before her bunker tanks began to leak; ~1,000 tonnes of very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO) contaminated Mauritius's south-east coast including the Blue Bay Marine Park. The Indian, French and Japanese governments deployed spill-response teams. She broke in two on 15 August. The Master (Sunil Kumar Nandeshwar) and Chief Officer (Hitihamillage Subhoda) were charged and later convicted of endangering safe navigation.
Wakashio is the modern case for the criminal liability of altering course for personal-communication reasons. It is universally cited in bridge-team-management training as the reminder that deviation for Wi-Fi or personal-communication reasons is prosecutable as endangering safe navigation. Also drove the IMO Bunker Convention enforcement discussion + P&I coverage tightening around 'crew misbehaviour' exclusions.
Cited in IMO Bunker Convention 2001 enforcement discussions. Mauritian criminal proceedings against the Master + Chief Officer for endangering shipping. Drove Nagashiki Shipping public commitment to enhanced routing risk-assessment.