News
23.12.10
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
16 December 2010
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) will undertake a
systemic safey investigation into Queensland's coastal pilotage
operations. This follows the ATSB's investigation into the 7
February 2009 grounding of the tanker Atlantic Blue in the
Torres Strait.
ATSB Chief Commissioner, Mr Martin Dolan, said the ATSB decided
to conduct this broader safety investigation to address information
that came to light during the Atlantic Blue investigation
as well as earlier, similar investigations.
"The Atlantic Blue investigation is one in a number of
cases where we received reports from coastal pilots raising
concerns about the safety of coastal pilotage operations," Mr Dolan
said.
"Our systemic safety investigation will take around 12 months to
complete. During this time, we'll gather information from
pilots, pilotage providers, regulators and other stakeholders and
analyse that information to see if any steps can be taken to
enhance the safety of the pilotage system."
The investigation into the grounding found that Atlantic
Blue's bridge team had not effectively monitored the ship's
progress in the shipping route. In particular, there was no
allowance for the prevailing strong wind and tidal stream.
This resulted in the ship deviating from its planned track.
Subsequent adjustments to the course were inadequate and could not
prevent it grounding off Kirkcalkie Reef.
Atlantic Blue's hull remained intact, there was no
pollution and the ship refloated on the next flood tide.
Following an inspection, authorities permitted the ship to continue
its voyage to Townsville.
The investigation report, released today, identifies safey
issues in relation to the:
- shipboard safety management system procedures for passage
planning
- assessment and audit system to check how coastal pilots carry
out pilotages
- traffic monitoring system of the coastal vessel traffic
service.
The relevant parties have taken or have proposed safety actions
to address all of these issues.