Safety issue: MO-2014-006-SI-01

Proper lookout

Issue number:	MO-2014-006-SI-01
Who it affects:	All persons responsible for navigation
Issue owner:	Pacific International Lines, Singapore
Operation affected:	Marine: Shipboard operations
Background:	Investigation Report 311-MO-2014-006
Date:	30 July 2015

Safety issue description

Kota Wajar’s safety management system procedures with regard to posting a dedicated lookout were not effectively implemented.

Proactive Action

Action organisation:	Pacific International Lines, Singapore
Action number:	MO-2014-006-NSA-017
Date:	30 July 2015
Action status:	Closed

Pacific International Lines (PIL) advised the ATSB that Kota Wajar’s bridge team on 6 July 2014 should have comprised the master, two mates and two seamen, with one of the seamen posted as a lookout. The company advised that the bridge team’s composition and their specific duties and functions are clearly stated in shipboard safety management system (SMS) procedures.

The company advised that, in order to address the safety issue, monitoring and verification of compliance with SMS procedures will be enhanced through unannounced navigational audits, including the retrieval and playback of voyage data recordings. In addition, records of wheelhouse activities, including bridge attendance logs will be subject to detailed reviews by PIL during routine shipboard safety audits. These enhanced procedures and processes are scheduled for implementation in August 2015.

Correspondence

Date received:	25 December 2015
Response from:	Pacific International Lines, Singapore
Action status:	Closed
Response text:	Pacific International Lines (PIL) updated the ATSB on the safety action taken. The company advised that compliance with SMS procedures with respect to keeping a lookout have been enhanced by amending the master-pilot exchange checklist to include the names and ranks of the entire bridge team including the helmsman, lookout, and additional lookout. The checklist also requires the master to ensure adequate lookouts are posted, including on bridge wings and other locations. The monitoring and compliance with this procedure is being carried out through navigational audit procedures that existed at the time of the incident and adequately covered this matter. Therefore, the enhanced audit procedures previously indicated were not considered necessary and were not implemented.
ATSB response:	Based on the update to the safety action taken, the ATSB reassessed the risk and considers that the safety issue has been adequately addressed.


Current issue status:	Adequately addressed
Status justification:	Pacific International Lines, Singapore (PIL) has taken adequate proactive safety action. The action includes an enhanced master-pilot exchange checklist and focused audits to monitor and verify compliance with navigational procedures.