“The incident did not result in any human losses or injuries, and the crisis was fully managed in a record time of 60 minutes.”
The Suez Canal has an integrated crisis management system that enables it to deal properly and immediately with emergency situations.
Admiral Ossama Rabiee, Chairman and Managing Director of the Suez Canal Authority, stated today, Saturday, that the results of the comprehensive examination conducted by the Authority-affiliated Incident Investigation Committee on the grounding of the RED ZED 1 diving vessel affirmed the absence of any human losses or injuries, and the overall safety of the vessel, with some damage being assessed at the incident site.
H. E. pointed out that the Suez Canal Authority handled the emergency situation successfully and professionally. The RED ZED 1 diving vessel, while transiting the Canal as part of the northern convoy on Friday, experienced a sudden steering failure, causing it to deviate at kilometer 45, Canal marking, at El-Qantara West passenger ferryboat.
The Chairman of the Authority affirmed that the measures taken by the Authority to manage the emergency situation prevented a serious collision with the ferry dock. H. E. noted in this regard the professionalism of the Suez Canal pilots present on board the vessel RED ZED1 and their success in preventing a vertical and direct collision between the vessel's hull and the ferry dock, rather, ensuring a parallel collision to prevent serious damage. He also highlighted the important proactive role played by the supervisors of El-Qantara Navigation Control Station, who observed the vessel's deviation from its course and notified El-Qantara ferry staff of the need to evacuate passengers and maritime units at the site in record time to prevent any injuries or serious losses.
Admiral Rabiee added that as soon as the Navigation Control Center received notification of the vessel's deviation, three of the Authority's tugboats, MISR AL GADEEDA, MOSAED 4, and Suez 1, were immediately deployed to deal with the emergency. The tugboats were able to position the vessel mid the waterway and secure it after its crew conducted repair works. The tugboats proceeded alongside the vessel to El-Balah area and then to the Great Bitter Lakes.
The Chairman of the Authority emphasized that the Suez Canal possesses an integrated crisis management system that enables it to respond properly and immediately to emergency situations and optimally handle unusual circumstances and situations. H. E. praised the efficiency of the Suez Canal pilots in controlling and securing the transit of the vessels of the southern convoy until the RED ZED 1 vessel entered the Canal's duplicated part at El-Ballah. This was achieved in cooperation with the Main Navigation Control Center and the Navigation Control Station, which has been transformed into a central crisis management operations room, giving instructions and taking the necessary measures to mobilize the necessary maritime units and tugboats to manage the crisis and maintain regular navigation in the Canal.
Admiral Rabiee also confirmed that navigation in the Canal was not affected by the incident, as the crisis was fully managed in a record time of 60 minutes. H. E. noted that the transportation of passengers between the two banks of the Canal was not affected at El-Qantara ferryboat site, as the ferry affected by the incident was immediately replaced with another one, and the necessary measures were taken to assess the damage and repair the damaged parts by the relevant Authority-affiliated committees.
Admiral Rabiee pointed out that the report prepared by the Authority's maritime salvage team after conducting an initial inspection of the vessel confirmed the overall safety of the vessel's hull and its ability to resume its transit after temporary repairs are made to a small hole in the vessels's bow above water level, and immediately after all administrative procedures and investigations related to the incident are completed.
The Chairman of the Authority concluded his statement by emphasizing the Suez Canal Authority's readiness to deal professionally with potential emergencies through an integrated system replete with navigational competencies, accumulated experience in maritime salvage operations, and specialized units in maritime salvage, navigation safety, and pollution control.
It is worth noting that the diving vessel RED ZED 1 is 217 m. in length, has a beam of 43 m., and a gross tonnage of 41 thousand tons. It transited the Canal during its voyage from the Netherlands to Sudan.