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At about 1500 on 12 March 2007, the unmanned barge Seatow 61 was anchored by the crew of its tug about three miles off Carnarvon, Western Australia, following advice from the Carnarvon harbour master. When anchored, the crew set the barge's anchor lights to operate automatically using a timer.

At about 0610 on 18 March, in near total darkness, the recreational vessel, Norma Jean, with four persons on board, left the Carnarvon boat harbour. At about 0625, Norma Jean collided with Seatow 61 and sank almost immediately. All four occupants of the boat died as a result of the collision.

The ATSB investigation found that Norma Jean's skipper may not have seen the barge until seconds before the impact and may have mistaken the barge's anchor lights for the lights of two separate vessels. Norma Jean's speed was inappropriate for the dark conditions and the use of the boat's interior lights probably reduced the skipper's night vision.

The investigation also found that the Carnarvon harbour master, who is based in Perth, about 900 km south of Carnarvon, was not fully aware of recreational vessel activities in Carnarvon when providing advice on where to anchor the barge.

The report issues four recommendations and four safety advisory notices with the aim of preventing further incidents of this type.

From 24 to 27 May 2010, the West Australian coroner held a coronial inquest in Carnarvon into the four fatalities that occurred as a result of the collision between Norma Jean and Seatow 61. His findings were handed down on 27 May 2010.

The ATSB is undertaking a review of the findings in its investigation report in light of the coroner's findings.

 

 

ATSB Recommendations

[MR20080003] [MR20080004] [MR20080005] [MR20080006]

ATSB Safety Advisory Notices

[MS20080006] [MS20080007] [MS20080008] [MS20080009]

 

Safety Actions for this investigation

 

General Details

Date: 18 Mar 2007Investigation Status: Completed
Time: 0630 (UTC + 9 hours)Investigation Type: Occurrence Investigation
Location: Off CarnarvonOccurrence Type: Collision
State: WA
Release Date: 06 Jun 2008Occurrence Category: Accident
Report Status: FinalHighest Injury Level: Fatal
 

Vessel 1 Details

Vessel: Sea-Tow 61
Flag: NZ
IMO: na
Type of Operation: Barge
Damage to Vessel: Nil
Departure Point:At anchor off Carnarvon, WA
Departure Time:na
Destination:na

Vessel 2 Details

Vessel: Norma Jean
Flag: Aus
IMO: 35539
Type of Operation: Private cabin cruiser
Damage to Vessel: Destroyed
Departure Point:Carnarvon, Western Australia
Departure Time:0600
Destination:Carnarvon, Western Australia
 

Injuries

 CrewPassengerGroundTotal
Fatal: 1304
Total:1304
Download Final Report
[PDF: 1.39MB]
 
 

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Last update 23 November 2010