BSU, Germany issued lesson learned circular for Collision of two ships on a canal after loss of steering.
Two ships were due to pass each other on a narrow channel. Shortly before the encounter, a malfunction occurred in the steering system of one of the ships. This malfunction caused the rudder to veer sharply to port. Switching to emergency steering was unable to correct this rudder position. As a result, the ship swung in this direction and collided with the bow of the oncoming vessel shortly afterwards. The other ship was unable to take evasive action. Crew members on both ships suffered minor injuries. The ship that was hit suffered severe water ingress in the fore section. The ship that caused the collision also suffered damage to its fore section.