North Sea death freighter riddle unsolved

by Caroline Radford and Mike Laycock

Confusion today surrounded an investigation into how a freighter sank in near-perfect conditions off the Yorkshire Coast, drowning at least four crew members.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it was not responsible for probing the mysterious loss of the Rema, 20 miles off Whitby, because it was outside British territorial waters and because the vessel was Belize-registered.
It said it was down to the Belize authorities to investigate the tragedy. But the Belize High Commission was unable to comment today on how it would handle any investigation.
Coroner Michael Oakley, responsible for the Ryedale and Scarborough area, said he would conduct an inquest if bodies were brought ashore in his area.
It has emerged that the 1,041-ton ship was held in Montrose port for five days earlier this year because she had failed safety checks, having no life rafts or certificate of competency.
But the Marine Safety Agency discounted suggestions that this could be directly linked to the Rema's sinking, saying the boat would not have been allowed to leave Montrose after the five days if the safety standards had not eventually been met.
Spokeswoman Claire Chappell also cast doubt on suggestions that the freighter's load of stone chippings might have shifted, causing it to sink. She said loads would normally shift in such a way only when there were high seas. And she also dismissed suggestions of a submarine collision, saying the Ministry of Defence would have informed the agency if that had happened.
A wreck found last night in 150 feet of water, near the missing vessel's last location, is thought to be that of the Rema, but it is not yet known if the bodies of any crew members are on board.
A massive search of the North Sea by lifeboats, helicopters and commercial vessels was sparked early on Saturday when the Rema, taking the chippings to Holland, broadcast a Mayday message.
Rescuers, who were puzzled that the vessel could have sunk so quickly in near perfect weather conditions, have given up hope of finding anyone alive, said a Humber Coastguard spokesman.
The crew members feared to have gone down with the vessel were named today as Andrew James, 34, Michael Clayton, 41, from Castleford, West Yorkshire, who was the ship's master, his brother, 40-year-old Robert Clayton, of Southampton, and Shaun Norton, 26, from Castleford.
Mr James took the job on the vessel just last week - his first job at sea - after being out of work for a long time.
Another crew-member, Steven Pearce, 27, from Glasshoughton, Castleford, was not aboard because he had had to go home for a medical appointment, leaving the ship before she set sail from Berwick, Northumberland, but it is not known whether his place on board was taken by a temporary deckhand.
Humber Coastguard said it was not yet known whether the bodies of crew members were on board the wreck, which was found by the search vessel Patricia and which is thought to be that of the Rema. The wreck's position is being marked so that other shipping can avoid it.

Scarborough, Whitby and Tees lifeboats took part in the search for the crew along with an RAF helicopters and an Atlantic 405 Surveillance Aircraft, owned by the Marine Pollution Control Unit.

Report submitted to Internationnal Maritime Organisation

Type of Casualty HULL FAILURE / FAILUREOF WATERTIGHT DOORS / PORTS

Ship's name REMA

Type of ship GENERAL CARGO SHIP

Flag Authority BELIZE

Tonnage 748

Reporting State BELIZE / UNITED KINGDOM

Date of
casualty 25/ 04/ 98

Event

After loading of approximately 1000 tonnes stone chippings, the vessel left Berwick-upon- tweed on 24 April at about 1230 and sailed for Terneuzen with a crew of 4. Its departure draft was about 3.3m. The weather on departure was good, the wind south-west, 3-4 and the sea slight to moderate.
At 0321 on 25 April the vessel transmitted an incomplete MayDay giving her position as about 22 miles north-east of Whitby on the east coast of England. Nothing else was heard from the vessel.
The Wreck of REMA was located on 26 April at 60-65m depth of water.
An underwater survey found the vessel sitting on the sea bed in an upright position and intact, but with evidence of soft contact bow damage due to impact with the sea bed. Her cargo had shifted forward and forced its way out of the forward hatches to spill onto the sea bed. Total loss of the vessel and the loss of life of the 4 crew members.

Causes

Through a very extensive investigation, including a ROV survey, many causes of the foundering have been explored. The most plausible cause of vessel foundering was found to be the slow flooding of 769 tonnes of sea water into the hold. The investigation has not been able to identify how, where and over what period of time it happened.

Issues raised/ Human factor

Hold bilge alarms in all single hold vessels. The introduction of Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs) in all vessels above lOOgt to remove the uncertainties when investigating marine accidents so that the correct recommendations can be made to improve safety at sea and preserve the life of seafares.