The grounding of cargo ship Bosphorus in Brisbane River, Australia, on October 29 last year was the result of the helmsman becoming 'zoned out' and disengaged, and his failure to follow instructions, a report found.
The grounding of cargo ship Bosphorus in Brisbane River, Australia, on October 29 last year was the result of the helmsman becoming 'zoned out' and disengaged, and his failure to follow instructions, a report found. Poor crew and pilotage safety managements system, not the individual, were to blame, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) reported today. On the night of the grounding at Lytton Rocks Reach, the helmsman was relieved by another seafarer when the 8407gt cargo vessel was coming into port under pilotage. Soon after the changeover at the wheel, the ship began to veer starboard. ATSB highlighted the crew changeover on the bridge at "a critical point of pilotage" in a high risk area of the river."Neither the ship's safety management system nor the Brisbane Pilot's passage plan detailed any guidance or instructions relating to the handing over of the watch or helmsman during high risk areas of pilotage," ATSB found.The report was also critical that despite noting that the helmsman's mind was not on the job, no one intervened until it was too late.It said the safety message was that the bridge team, pilot, master and officer of the watch should all check the rudder angle indicator before and after each helm order. Brisbane Pilots have since upgraded their safety management system procedures.No injuries, damage, or pollution were reported at the time.