Sudden Course Change, Channel Deviation, Embankment Strike: What Happened to This Vessel? 突然转向，偏移航道、滑入堤岸、发生碰撞，这艘船发生了什么？

Around 3:00 a.m. on January 7, 2026, a bulk carrier, after embarking a pilot in Schülp, was transiting the Kiel Canal toward the Brunsbüttel when it suddenly veered to the south side, ultimately striking the canal embankment. The incident occurred just meters away from the Brunsbüttel ferry terminal. Preliminary investigations by the Kiel water police suggest that communication or coordination issues may have led to the sudden alteration of course.  

2026年1月7日凌晨3点左右，一艘散货船在舒尔普成功接上引航员后，正沿着基尔运河航向布赖霍尔茨闸门，突然船舶向运河南侧偏移，最终滑入运河堤岸发生碰撞，事故发生在距离布赖霍尔茨渡轮码头仅几米处。基尔水警的初步调查显示，配合不当可能是航向突然变更的原因。

Following the incident, the vessel managed to free itself from the embankment and return to the normal channel under its own power, using its two MAN engines. After a check for potential leaks was completed, the ship continued toward Brunsbüttel around 3:30 a.m. and underwent a comprehensive inspection.  

事故发生后，船舶依靠两台MAN发动机的动力成功脱离堤岸，返回正常航道。在完成潜在泄漏检查后，船只于凌晨3:30左右继续驶向布伦斯比特尔并接受了全面检验。

Analysis of Potential Impacts of a Sudden Course Change

航向变更潜在影响分析

A sudden course change by a vessel in a narrow waterway, regardless of its size, can trigger a chain of events. Restricted waters such as the Kiel Canal amplify this risk, especially during nighttime or under limited visibility conditions.  

船舶在狭窄水道中突然变更航向，无论其规模大小，都可能引发一系列连锁反应。基尔运河这样的受限水域更会放大这一风险，尤其是在夜间或能见度受限的情况下。

In 2020, a Panama-flagged bulk carrier collided with an unregistered fishing boat while departing port at night, resulting in one fatality. The investigation revealed that although the bulk carrier’s bridge radar had clearly shown a moving target ahead, it was not adequately monitored by the captain, third officer, or pilot. When the chief officer reported sighting the fishing boat from the bow, the pilot only ordered a slight turn to starboard, and failed to implement more effective emergency avoidance measures in time.  

2020年，一艘巴拿马籍散货船在夜间出港时与一艘"三无"渔船相撞，造成一人死亡。调查发现，事发前散货船驾驶台雷达已清晰显示船首方向存在移动物标，却未引起船长、三副和引航员的足够重视。当大副在船头报告发现渔船时，引航员仅下令向右小角度转向，未能及时采取更有效的紧急避让措施。

There exists a difference between the operational intentions of the pilot and the judgment of the ship’s crew, which is particularly noteworthy in this incident. According to the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration Pilotage Operation Safety Supervision and Management Measures, unless the safety of the vessel is endangered, the captain should follow the pilot’s instructions. However, if an instruction or action is found to jeopardize safety, the captain has the right to request a change or even take direct command of the vessel.  

引航员的操作意图与船方判断可能存在差异，这一点在本事件中尤其值得关注。根据《上海海事局引航作业活动安全监督管理办法》，除有危及船舶安全的情况外，船长应当采纳引航员的引航指令。但当发现指令或行为将危及安全时，船长有权要求更改指令，甚至直接指挥船舶。

Coordination with the Pilot  

与引航员的配合

Due to their unique hull structure and maneuvering characteristics, bulk carriers require special attention during coordination with pilots. A fully loaded bulk carrier has significant inertia and responds slowly to control inputs, placing higher demands on communication and coordination between the ship and shore. According to the *Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration Pilotage Operation Safety Supervision and Management Measures*, the captain should provide a concise briefing to the pilot on the vessel’s maneuvering performance and the surrounding navigational environment, and answer the pilot’s questions.  

散货船由于其特殊的船型结构和操纵特性，在与引航员配合时需要格外注意。一艘满载的散货船惯性大，操纵反应迟缓，这对船岸双方的沟通协调提出了更高要求。根据《上海海事局引航作业活动安全监督管理办法》，船长应就本船操纵性能、周围通航环境等信息与引航员作简明交接，并回答引航员的疑问。

Key Safety Considerations for Port Entry

入港安全的关键注意事项

Port entry is a high-risk phase of shipping operations, particularly in confined channels or congested waterways. Vessels should make adequate preparations before arrival and departure.  

船舶进港是航运作业中风险较高的阶段，尤其在狭窄水道或通航密集水域，船舶抵离港前应进行充分准备。

The captain and officers should utilize multiple sources to gather information on the port’s hydro-meteorological conditions, navigational marks, and positioning methods, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the port situation.  

船长和驾驶员应通过多种方式了解抵达港的水文气象、导航目标、定位手段等信息，确保掌握全面的港口情况。

Before entering the port, the vessel should prepare large-scale paper charts and update electronic charts promptly, clearly plotting the intended entry route on the charts. Concurrently, verify hazardous areas, turning points, and other critical information along the route.  

船舶进港前应备齐大比例尺纸质海图，并及时更新电子海图，将进港计划航线清晰标绘在海图上。同时核对航线附近的危险区域、转向点和其他关键信息。

Simultaneously, all departments on board should conduct pre-arrival inspections according to their divisions of responsibility, ensuring the vessel’s watertight integrity, stability, cargo loading, critical machinery and electrical equipment, firefighting and lifesaving equipment are in good condition.  

同时船上各部门应根据分工开展抵港前检查，确保船舶水密性、稳性、货物装载、关键性机电设备、消防救生设备等处于良好状态。

When formulating a pilotage plan, the pilotage agency should consider the vessel’s basic information, key considerations, risk assessment, safety guarantees, and emergency response measures.

引航机构在制定引航方案时，应考虑船舶基本情况、注意事项、风险评估、安全保障和应急处置措施。

Navigation Safety  

航行安全

Navigation safety, as a systemic concept, encompasses the entire process from design and construction to daily operations. Therefore, a true safety culture in navigation is one that is human-centered and supportive. It means that shipping companies not only provide advanced equipment but also foster an environment that supports and listens to crew members. It means that managers, while establishing strict regulations, understand the pressures and challenges faced by crews in complex real-world scenarios. It means that every accident investigation aims not only to assign responsibility but, more fundamentally, to protect future seafarers on their voyages.  

航运安全作为一个系统性概念，涵盖了从设计建造到日常运营的全过程。因此，真正的航行安全文化，是一种饱含温度、以人为本的文化。它意味着船公司不仅提供先进的设备，更要营造支持船员、倾听船员的环境；意味着管理者在制定严格的规章时，能理解船员在复杂现实中的压力与挑战；意味着每一次事故调查，不仅为了划分责任，更为了从根本上保护未来航行中的同行者。