Suez Canal is blocked by mega cargo ship Ever Given

[NSWP]

Nicaragua was going to build a canal to compete with the Panama, the consortium to construct it went bust, think it was Hong Kong investors.  We were over there in 2014 doing the cruise on Golden Princess BA to LA and did a tour in Nicaragua. Tour guide told us it was all signed, sealed and delivered. The Govt was happy, $$$$.  Well it was then it collapsed.

[Chiliburn]

1 minute ago, NSWP said:

Nicaragua was going to build a canal to compete with the Panama, the consortium to construct it went bust, think it was Hong Kong investors.  We were over there in 2014 doing the cruise on Golden Princess BA to LA and did a tour in Nicaragua. Tour guide told us it was all signed, sealed and delivered. The Govt was happy, $$$$.  Well it was then it collapsed.

Chinese are supposed to build a Thailand canal ,but the money hasn’t materialised.

[Docker123]

The ship has been impounded by Egyptian authorities. Reportedly seeking $USD900 million in compensation.

 

https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/egypt-seizes-the-ever-given-says-owner-owes-us900m-over-suez-canal-blockage-20210414-p57iz7.html

[MicCanberra]

So the Pilot harbours no responsibility?

[Russell21]

3 hours ago, Docker123 said:

The ship has been impounded by Egyptian authorities. Reportedly seeking $USD900 million in compensation.

 

https://www.theage.com.au/world/middle-east/egypt-seizes-the-ever-given-says-owner-owes-us900m-over-suez-canal-blockage-20210414-p57iz7.html

The real big question is who is responsible. The owners are a Japanese company, it is operated by a Taiwanese company, and it is registered in Panama. Egyptian  Pilot in charge? Can't see Egypt taking the blame when they can squeeze a few bucks Baksheesh. All they need to do is wait until the owners of the contents of a squillion containers start to raise hell.

[By The Bay]

Extract from an article published in the Washington Post. Full article link.

 

"Even if pilot error is found to have contributed to the accident, Egyptian law makes clear that pilots are not liable for any damage during their watch of the ship."

 

Contrary to their titles, the pilots do not actually steer the vessel in the Suez Canal. The pilot serves more as a consultant, using his experience and practical knowledge of the canal to give advice, for instance on how to maneuver the vessel or what course to steer.

The captain has to be present at all times on the bridge and give the orders to the helm, to the engines and tugs, taking into account the pilot’s directions, according to international maritime law. The captain has to keep the pilot informed of any problems with the handling of the vessel “so that the pilot might be in a position to give better advice to control the navigation and movement of the vessel,” the law reads. Ultimately, “the responsibility falls completely” on the captain, it adds.

 

“The captain has the sole responsibility for directing the ship,” the senior pilot said. “The pilots can offer their guidance and opinions, but the captain can choose to refuse it.”

[MicCanberra]

I agree, the captain has control of the ship but has to direct it as told by the pilot. If high winds are the issue, then the pilot should have said, do not go into the canal.

[By The Bay]

3 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

I agree, the captain has control of the ship but has to direct it as told by the pilot. If high winds are the issue, then the pilot should have said, do not go into the canal.

The Egyptian pilots are not legally responsible. The Captain will be found guilty in an Egyptian court.

[MicCanberra]

Possibly civil case, insurance chasing up the pilot in a non egyptian court.

[Blackduck59]

11 minutes ago, MicCanberra said:

I agree, the captain has control of the ship but has to direct it as told by the pilot. If high winds are the issue, then the pilot should have said, do not go into the canal.

 

While I agree with you in principal Mic, The Captain has command and should be aware of the perils the wind would present to his ship with the load it was carrying. The skipper should have made the call to lay up outside of the canal until more favourable wind conditions presented. It may have cost him a day but seeing as the ship still isn't at it's destination 1 day would have been a good call. Of course we all have the benefit of 2020 hindsight and coulda, shoulda woulda is easy. At any rate I think the Captains career is over he'll be lucky to get a job driving freight of the coast of Somalia. I also think the traffic controller at the canal should have taken one look at the wind conditions and the size of the ship and ordered Ever Given not to proceed.

[mr walker]

2 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 

 The skipper should have made the call to lay up outside of the canal until more favourable wind conditions presented.............. Of course we all have the benefit of 2020 hindsight and coulda, shoulda woulda is easy.

. I also think the traffic controller at the canal should have taken one look at the wind conditions and the size of the ship and ordered Ever Given not to proceed.

When you get downunder Lyle you will learn of the great Aussie expression, which was likely similar to the logic used by the skipper & controller to proceed........................ SHE'LL BE RIGHT!