Man Missing as Thames Tug Capsizes

[Phil English]

Breaking news from BBC:

One man is missing after a tug boat overturned on the River Thames in south-east London.

The vessel capsized and sunk at about 11:00 BST in Convoys Wharf in Deptford, near Greenwich Pier.

The Port of London Authority said one of the three-man crew was missing.

The authority has closed the river in the Greenwich area as part of the continuing operation. Four fire engines, police and the coastguard are helping in the rescue.


>> This is the 2nd tragic incident on the Thames in as many weeks. Last week a young crew member of the Woolwich ferry sadly died when he fell overboard <<

Brgds
Phil

[steve*f]

Twitter reports are saying that its the CHEIFTON.

[ChasB46]

Spelling.. Chiefton, the one without the funnel if you are looking for picture.

[Phil English]

That's right Chas, this one:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1294147

Brgds
Phil

[steve*f]

Typing error, sorry.  I hope the missing crew member is found.

[Phil English]

We knew which one you meant Steve.

Incidentally, more info here (though with a mis-spelled name):

http://www.lbc.co.uk/tug-boat-overturned-in-greenwich-43492

Brgds
Phil

[Phil English]

The report above mentions that this sad incident resulted from a "collision between two tugs". This could well be true as I've just seen Chiefton's running mate, Horton, return to moor up in the Upper Pool with a bloody great hole in her bow.

Brgds
Phil

[steve*f]

Looking at the AIS in the area. CROSSNESS is enroute. PLA DIVER, DRIFTWOOD II and KEW on scene.  Still no word on the missing crew member. lets hope he is found.  

[Robert J Smith]

Another link here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2025271/River-Thames-closed-tugboat-capsizes-crew-member-missing.html

Regards

Bob

[John Jones]

I saw the crane barge involved, 'SKYLINE BARGE 19' arriving at Gravesend this afternoon pushed by the tug 'STEVEN B.' Not sure whether this was the one pushing at the time of the accident or could it have been the 'HORTON' which Phil saw? I have posted pictures under the 'Barges' category, not sure whether this is the correct one.
Apparently the lead tug 'CHIEFTON' (I have not seen it spelt correctly in any press reports) collided with a mooring buoy and was then hit by the crane barge and went down in about 30 seconds.

A sad day on the Thames.

Regards
John J.

[Ben]

Hello All

I was at work this morning and just rounding blackwall point when i heard the Hurricane Clipper first report the incident (he was alongside greenwich pier).    The message said "London VTS - Chiefton has capsized at Greenwich emergency assistance required"

I had passed the tow when it was passing Greenland Pier ,  the Steven B had pushed the barge all the way down with the Horton and Chiefton on the head.   When the tug passed Canary Wharf the Horton which was just following alongside the pier and not held left them to it and went off full head down river.

The Horton was passing the o2 when the call came out and straight away turned round and raced back inward bound to help.  

The PLA's DRIFTWOOD was at the west india dock entrance and sent its jet boat straight there and i understand it was one of the first on the scene to arrive.     The tow itself did have a safety boat Predetor Charters ASSASSIN  which came round from the stern of the tow to the front as the tug was sinking to help retrieve the two men from the water,  one of which as far as i know got up onto the barge himself

The tug it is reported (although only word at the moment and not official may i add) to have been towing the barge when the tow started to make way for the Greenwich Ship Tier at which point the Chiefton was ordered to port to bring the tow round.   It was at this point the tug capsized and the sad events unfolded.

This evening the area has been marked by the PLA's Crossness with buoys and i understand that possibly tomorrow at some point the tug will be lifted depending on the situation.

There is a photo i took myself of the tow passing London Bridge today

http://www.facebook.com/liquidhighway

[Phil English]

Thanks Ben for providing us with an accurate account of the events leading up to this very sad incident. My thoughts are with the family of the man who was lost.

Brgds
Phil

[John Jones]

Yes,
Thanks Ben for providing a report from on the spot. It must affect you and your colleagues on the river deeply. Noted today that all the Svitzer tugs and the Tilbury to Gravesend ferry were flying their ensigns at half-mast. Strangely the PLA vessels were not.

Our thoughts must now be with the lost man's friends and family and hope that at least some lessons can be learned to avoid a similar occurence in the future.

Best Regards
John J.

[Ben]

It is awful news and i could not believe what i heard when the first call went off over the radio and when i heard the word 'Capsized' i was just stunned.  I was going to turn the boat i was on (the Meteor Clipper) around and head back up there to help but i knew the freeboard of the big clippers are too high and there was already ribs and other boats in the area that were far better to help out than i could have done by the time i got there which would have taken about 5minutes or so.

As im sure you all know, I lost a good friend in the woolwich ferry accident and will be paying my respects this week at his funeral.

As you say John, lets hope some lessons can be learned from this.  But it seems in both incidents, it was just a matter of a few seconds which ended in tragic circumstances and a waste of talented life.   

The area at Greenwich is currently control by a PLA harbour launch, the area where the tug has sunk is marked with cardinal marks.   I understand GPS are bringing a crane barge up on monday to try to raise the tug itself.    It will be interested to know if the tug will be scrapped or returned to service after this incident

[henrycourt]

At this time AIS-Live is showing TUG--ZEEPIA towing crane GPS APOLLO at 3.8k in position 51.29N 00.12E up river. I think this is the movement in order to recover the tug involved in this tragic accident. God rest his soul.  Rgds jw.