At 2109 on 3 January 2015, the pure car and truck carrier Hoegh Osaka was rounding West Bramble buoy in The Solent (south coast of England, approach to the port of Southampton) when it developed a significant starboard list causing some cargo shift and consequent flooding. With the list in excess of 40°, the ship lost steerage and propulsion, and subsequently drifted onto Bramble Bank, grounding at 2115.

Hoegh Osaka had sailed from the port of Southampton, bound for Bremerhaven, at 2006. A pilot was embarked and there were 24 crew on board. Following the accident, all crew were successfully evacuated from the ship or recovered from the surrounding waters. There was no pollution. A major salvage operation successfully refloated Hoegh Osaka and it was subsequently taken to a safe berth in Southampton on 22 January.

The (UK) Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has now published a report into the investigation of the listing, flooding and grounding of this pure car and truck carrier (PCTC).

A safety flyer has been produced highlighting three key safety lessons arising from the accident which the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents urges the industry to take forward.