STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING DEC 2013 - SAFE NAVIGATION | Page 4

GLOBAL SHARING MONTHLY NEWSLETTER – DEC. 2013 - NAVIGATION
KEY MESSAGE: THOROUGH PASSAGE PLANNING, RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND
SITUATION AWARENESS ARE CRITICAL FOR SAFE NAVIGATION.
WHAT HAPPENED:

The vessel had been instructed by charterers to await orders, stating a preference for the vessel to anchor, if
safe to do so, rather than drift. The preference to anchor was emphasised by a phone call. Pre-arrival, the
Master had been advised of a congested anchorage with six vessels already at anchor. Despite this, the
Master contacted the port and advised them of his intended anchoring position. When the vessel was brought
up, it was observed that they were only 0.8 cables from a shallow patch so the Master decided to shift the
anchor position. After the vessel shifted to a new position, another vessel objected to the close proximity so
the Master decided to shift position again. During the third attempt the vessel grounded.
WHY IT HAPPENED:

There were a number of simple avoidable errors made that an effective team working together should have
prevented. The Master’s perception was to keep the charterers happy knowing their preference to anchor.
• Passage planning - The vessel anchored twice in dangerous positions and the third attempt resulted in the
vessel getting too close to the beach and grounding…………………………………………………….
• Position fixing - While approaching the anchorage the position of the ships in the anchorage should have
been plotted. This would have probably identified the fact that there was insufficient space for the vessel to
anchor safely……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
• Commercial pressure - the charterer’s email and verbal instructions requested the vessel to anchor. As a
result, the Master did not consider the option to drift outside the anchorage area………………………….
• Communication and teamwork - The bridge team and C/O on the forecastle failed to work as a team
resulting in anchoring too close to a vessel…………………………………………………………………………….
The bridge team failed to realize the vessel was being pushed by the tide and current towards shallow water.
The effect of wind and current were not taken into account.
MARINE CASUALTY STATISTICS FROM JTSB - JAPAN

LESSONS LEARNED:

• Poor passage/anchoring planning
• Poor assessment/analysis of anchorage
• Master influenced by commercial interests
• Poor bridge team communication
• No one tried to “stop the job”
REMARKS:

ST

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DEC 2013

A Shell Marine Contractors Safety Initiative