Running aground

In 1974 the firm of ‘Sudoimport’ the marketing arm of USSR shipped out to Singapore a hydrofoil-motorship type ‘Kometa-M’ for purposes of demonstration. The 35m long ocean-going vessel could carry 102 passengers in air-conditioned comfort. The ‘M’ series denotes a ‘tropicalise version’ intended for use particularly in the warm tropical climate of South East Asia. The hull, superstructure are built of an aluminum-magnesium alloy and the foil system comprises of two large major stainless steel lifting foils; one fore and the other aft with a midship foil and stabiliser behind the fore foil. The sailing range without replenishing of bunkers is 240miles and sailing only in daylight hours; that is it must reach it’s port of destination before sunset. The mother ship was a large bulk-carrier named ‘Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya’ assigned to take her placed upon her main deck and securely lashed down.

11th July/ Thursday. ‘Kometa-M’ already discharged from mother-ship and in port, lying berth at godown No.48 Keppel Harbour. So I skippered our own company’s smaller 6-seater hydrofoil-boat type ‘Volga-70’ to the larger hydrofoil vessel. My ‘Volga-70’ has 8.55m in length and 2.1m breadth. It was powered by Swedish- made single Volvo-penta inboard/outdrive diesel engine of 90hp driving a top speed of 30knots. The range without re-fuelling about 120miles.

'Volga-70' 6-seater hydrofoil-boat at high speed.

1430Hrs: The Port Authority ‘Keppel Control’ had been notified by ‘Kometa’ VHF Radio that we would be leaving berth for approximately a 2-hour sea-trial and to report on returning. We received ‘radio clearance’ through VHF and left for the Eastern Roadstead. We were trailing behind with onboard the director of Soviet Cinema, a cameraman and 2nd Engineer.


Just outside of the breakwater’ mole at that time known as ‘outer roads’ the ‘Kometa’ made several runs for our cameraman before breaking off and heading for our next shooting destination at the Raffles Lighthouse located south of Pulau Senang. There we positioned ourselves in between near ‘Selat Biola’ The photography intended to capture the scenic view of a tiny island of swaying palms with the lighthouse in the background.

So the ‘run’ was a straight course from a point tip of Pulau Senang to Raffles Lighthouse, keeping clear of ‘Pemalang Reef’ on her portside. We were in the outer position and the run to be made in the middle between the reef and us. Anyway the ‘Kometa’ is equipped with modern navigation-aids,with radar, depth-sounder to ensure safe passage, all cramped in their aircraft-like ‘cock-pit’ wheel-house.

The initial runs were smooth and without any hitch, the two powerful 1,000hp diesel engines driving her at top speed around 30-33knots, her hull raised up and her foils skimming over the water surface. The cameraman went about his job shooting many photos. ‘Kometa’ would make a ‘U’ turn upon end of the run just before Raffles Light-house for the return run. However the director of film was not satisfied and wanted more closer shot with the light-house in background. I sounded the alarm of the risk as it would narrow down the path but he was insistent. He was a film man not a navigator and more immerged in the making of ‘good photography than that of safety and so my warning fell upon deaf ears.

'Kometa-M’ at top speed before Raffles Light-house.

We moved forward for closer ‘shot’ and stopped with engine running idling and in ‘neutral’ mode. The action of the current could have drifted us nearer towards the reef, thereby even narrowing the passage-way. For the next run, ‘Kometa’ came bearing down at top speed towards Raffles passing us from the inside without any mishap and speeded away. Suddenly further down there was a loud sound of crashing, she swerved violently portside in a complete circle, facing us again; engines went ‘dead’ Whoops!. We were shocked, stunt, speechless at what had happened, especially for the director who had been insistent.

As we rushed to the stricken “Kometa’ the master appeared at the starboard wing. He was up-set and grumbling in Russian, saying how come we did not know it was shallow. Obviously it was an navigational error, human mistake in plotting. I put the cameraman on board and ascertained from the master that nobody injured.

Then I proceeded to Raffles Light-house and to report of the grounding and relay the message to the Port Master.


Kometa high and dry,grounded at Pemalang Reef

Meantime master had informed the Port Operation Control by VHF radio of the mishap and that nobody injured. At that instant no assistance required and that they would wait for ‘high’ tide to re-float the vessel. The master also informed our Sinsov (Singapore Soviet Shipping Co. Ltd) Director Mr.Makarov, who immediately rushed down. As usual after such incident people were looking for a ‘scape goat’ and the accusing finger pointing to me. Of course I rebutted the accusation on ground how ridiculous it can be. As each of us as master/skipper of our respective craft is fully responsible basically to have sufficient depth of water to be able to float safely through. And it was his vessel running aground and not mine. More over the ‘Kometa’ is fully equipped with modern navigational aids, whereas on mine there was nothing no radar or depth-sounder. Also he is a Master Mariner with abundant years of sailing experiences, should have known better. In general light-houses symbolise danger indicating shallowness, the existence of reef or rocks above or around submerged, to stay alert and exercise caution.

For the time being we kept ‘mum’ and not spreading the bad news. I was sailing back our base at Kallang. However halfway at the water-boat channel we met an approaching boat named ‘Baracuda’ conveying our director Makarov, Jimmy our manager and boarding officers. They were on the way on fact-finding and to access the extent of damage and that of recovery.

After several attempts by master to re-float ‘Kometa’ at high tide failed, even with the assistance of a tug-boat to tow her off the reef. The stricken vessel on high and dry with not enough water for floatation. There were no alternative but to call in the professionals, the salvage people by the name of ‘Selco’. They brought in their big floating-crane and simply lifted up the ‘Kometa’ from the reef. Lowered to the deeper water and towed back to the yard for repairs.

Finally ‘Selco’ floating crane lifted ‘Kometa’ from the reef

Seen here ‘Kometa’  high and dry, sitting on it's specially-built cradle which was brought along for repairs. It came under the supervision of 'Det Norske Veritas' on behalf of USSR Class Registrar. The surveyor had to ascertain that all being complied that is required in order that "class' is restored and sea-worthiness retained.