The safety issues identified during the investigation of the grounding of the mini cape-size dry bulk carrier, Orient Centaur, are listed in the findings and safety issues and actions section of the ATSB report.
In addressing those issues, the ATSB prefers to encourage relevant organisation(s) to initiate safety action proactively, rather than to issue formal safety recommendations or safety advisory notices.
Depending on the level of risk of the safety issue, the extent of corrective action taken by the relevant organisation, or the desirability of directing a broad safety message to the marine industry, the ATSB may issue safety recommendations or safety advisory notices as part of the final report.
Mini cape-size risk assessment
- Safety issue number: MO-2017-010-SI-01
- Safety issue owner: Maritime Safety Queensland
- Operation affected: Shipboard operations
- Who it affects: All owners, operators and crewmembers involved in pilotage
Safety issue description
In pre-trial simulations, the risks associated with engine failure during departure were only
considered up to when a ship had entered the South Channel.
Consequently, the tugs were not in attendance to assist if propulsion was lost.
Status of the safety issue
- Issue status: Adequately addressed
- Justification: The action taken by mandating the use of an escort tug from the wharf and throughout the South Channel to Beacon SC4, and additional tug availability, should adequately address the issue.
Proactive safety action
- Action taken by: Proactive safety action taken Maritime Safety Queensland
- Action number: MO-2017-010-NSA-01
- Action date: March 2018
- Action type: Proactive safety action
- Action status: Closed
Safety action taken
The Regional Harbour Master advised the following proactive actions have been taken:
- In addition to the trial conditions, an escort tug is now used for all departing bulk carriers.
- Escort tugs for departing loaded vessels in excess of 200 m overall length are to be made fast centre lead aft tug are to be released at Beacon SC4.
- First choice Escort tug to be 65 tonne bollard pull.
- When two vessels are departing, the vessel in excess of 240 m will have the 65 tonne bollard pull tug, the other vessel will utilise one of the 44 tonne tugs. The escort tugs are to remain made fast until released at SC4.
- Two continuously manned 85 tonne bollard pull azimuth stern drive tugs are now based at the Port of Amrun and are about 60 minutes steaming time from the Port of Weipa.
Usage of tugs
- Safety issue number: MO-2017-010-SI-02
- Safety issue owner: Ports North
- Operation affected: Shipboard operations
- Who it affects: All owners, operators and crewmembers involved in pilotage
Safety issue description
Tugs were to be available to escort the mini cape-size ships until they had entered the South
Channel, where they were then stood down.
However, the tug masters had not been trained in thespecifics of escort towage nor in emergency response.
Status of the safety issue
- Issue status: Adequately addressed
- Justification: The action taken by training all pilots and tug masters in emergency response and escort towage adequately address the issue.
Proactive safety action
- Action taken by: Proactive safety action taken Maritime Safety Queensland
- Action number: MO-2017-010-NSA-02
- Action date: August 2018
- Action type: Proactive safety action
- Action status: Closed
Safety action taken
The Manager Pilotage Services advised the following proactive actions have been taken:
All Ports Norths pilots and Smit Lamnalco tug masters have completed together emergency
response and escort towage training including:
- emergency towage scenarios
- positioning and use of tugs in an emergency
- competency in standard escort tug manoeuvres and indirect towage.
- Arrival and departure briefs developed for the Port of Weipa have been updated with:
- safety settings for electronic chart display and information system
- tidal information
- weather conditions
- wind limits and tug positions/line lengths.
All masters and ship bridge teams are briefed before arrivals and departures.
Additional safety issues
Whether or not the ATSB identifies safety issues in the course of an investigation, relevant
organisations may proactively initiate safety action in order to reduce their safety risk.
The ATSB has been advised of the following proactive safety action in response to this occurrence.
Interorient, the ship’s managers advised the following proactive actions will be taken:
- water analysis on board weekly
- water analysis at shore every 6 months
- checking appropriate tightening of Cylinder Head every 8000 hrs
- proper overhaul of cooling jacket (replacement of o rings and cleaning) and use of original spares according to manufactures instructions, service letters and manual every overhaul
- checking securing bolts as per manufactures service letters every overhaul
- proper tracking of running hours monthly
- original spare cooling to be available on board at all times
- all cylinder jackets renewed within 1 year from incident
- maker guidance/recommendations and service letters are followed as per planned maintenance system schedule.
North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) advised their operations have been reviewed and have
taken the following proactive actions:
- NQBP have prepared a tender package for the provision of Salvage and Casualty Advice for all NQBP Ports to include:
- guidelines to assist NQBP on items that may be included in vetting requirements to minimise the likelihood of an incident in the future
- the establishment of appropriate minimum insurance requirements for ships using NQBP ports
- provide response timing and plans, which are considered for reasonably foreseeable events within their Ports.
- Obtained quotes for Vessel Vetting Service (Rightship) to facilitate implementation of additional vetting protocols. Implementation is planned following the review of Salvage Planning, as this work will also consider vetting parameters that can be enforced to minimise the likelihood of an incident occurring.
- As part of this process, NQBP has already sought from each of our Terminal Operators detail of their vetting processes, specifically the criteria that they are vetting to.
- Completed a First Strike Oil Response exercise in Weipa NQBP was added to the Weipa VTS Incident Notifications NQBP are currently in the process of undertaking a Risk Assessment & Management review of Ports for marine operations. This process is being completed in conjunction with the RHM, Terminal Operators and Towage Providers for each Port.
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Source: Australian Transport Safety Bureau
