by Martyn Wingrove
How can a brand new car carrier hit the sea floor because of a software fault?
How can a boxship, less than a year old, crash into a Pacific Ocean reef?
Shipping may hope that technology makes navigation safer, but the number of incidents recorded every month suggests otherwise.
Just last week, there was a report that car carrier, Siem Cicero, which was almost straight out of the shipyard, struck the bottom of the seabed in the Ems and Dollard area of northern Germany.
The car carrier, which had only been in service 10 days, grounded because of a software mistake and the ship master had to order two tugs to pull the vessel off the seafloor. The onboard software was corrected and the ship was allowed to sail, with an unforeseen delay in its schedule.
It is not clear what the software problem was, but what is transparent is that programs and IT should be there to help seafarers not cause the problems. But there have been other instances where bridge equipment and software faults have been the cause of maritime accidents.
Also last week, a container ship that entered service earlier this year smashed into a reef in French New Caledonia. It is not yet known why Lomar Shipping’s Kea Trader grounded on a shallow water reef, but it did and was stuck there over the weekend and this week.
There is speculation that this is a case of navigation error, although it could also be an engine fault that caused the ship to ram into the reef. It may be some time until we find out the cause, but it is another example of why seafarers need to remain vigilant.
Software and IT should be on ships to aid officers to improve navigation safety and minimise the risk of groundings not cause them.
Disclaimer: This video is intended for informational purpose only. This may not be construed as a news item or advice of any sort. Please consult the experts in that field for the authenticity of the presentations.
Did you subscribe for our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: Marine Electronics & Communications
