Bulker lost rudder at sea due to incorrect reassembly during dry-docking

Critical Rudder Failure: Bulk Carrier Narrowly Avoids Grounding After Maintenance Error

A fully loaded bulk carrier narrowly avoided disaster when its rudder completely broke off during departure from a New Zealand port, highlighting critical failures in maintenance procedures that could have...

Bulk Carrier Loses Rudder Near Port Of Tauranga Due To Poor Welding

Image Credits: TAIC/LinkedIn A bulk carrier loaded with logs nearly ran aground after losing its rudder shortly after departing the Port of Tauranga in New Zealand on July 24, 2023. Investigators from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) found that poor maintenance work during a previous drydock caused the incident. The vessel, named Achilles Bulker, was fully loaded and outbound under pilot control when its heading started dri…

Bulker lost rudder at sea due to incorrect reassembly during dry-docking

Taiwanese vessel narrowly avoided grounding off New Zealand as a result

Rudder fell off: Bulker narrowly missed grounding

The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has issued a report on a July 24, 2023, incident in which the rudder of a bulk carrier fell off, putting the ship at risk of grounding. The fully loaded 32,729 dwt Achilles Bulker, owned and operated by SE Apex Corporation, was under pilotage outbound from the Port of Tauranga on the accident day. Shortly after clearing the harbor entrance, the ship’s heading began to swing to po…