Grounding of the cargo vessel Pine Trust, Shark Bay, Western Australia, on 6 August 1997

Summary

The Panamanian flag general cargo vessel Pine Trust sailed from Slope Island Terminal, Shark Bay, Western Australia, at 0930 on 13 October 1997, bound for Japan, with a cargo of bulk salt. Navigation of the vessel was under the conduct of a pilot.

After clearing the berth at 0954, the vessel was steadied on its first heading, and sea speed was ordered. When the Pilot was satisfied with the vessel's position and course, he looked at and discussed documents relating to new procedures for ships with the Master. Course was adjusted due East of Cape Heirisson in accordance with the track on the ship's chart.

After passing No. 9 beacon the Third Mate called the Pilot's attention to the fact that the ship had passed No. 9 beacon and No. 8 beacon should have been on the starboard bow. The Pilot checked the position and realised that the ship was heading for shoal water and was standing into danger. Although action was taken to alter course away from shoal water, Pine Trust ran aground at full sea speed at about 1113, off No. 8 beacon in Denham Channel.

Initial attempts to refloat the vessel using the engine were unsuccessful. A Salvage Master was appointed, and, on 16 October 1997, further attempts were made to refloat the vessel with tug assistance. The vessel was refloated at 2345 that day but lost her port anchor and ten shackles of cable as she came off the sandbank.

After refloating, the tug was cast off and the vessel anchored again for a diver's inspection, in the presence of a Surveyor from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority and a Class Surveyor. Nobody was injured as a result of the incident and there was no damage to the hull, nor was there any pollution. Once it was established that the vessel was seaworthy, the voyage to the discharge port was resumed.

Conclusions

These conclusions identify the different factors contributing to the incident and should not be read as apportioning blame or liability to any particular organisation or individual. Pine Trust grounded off Beacon No. 8, as a result of the course not being altered off Beacon No. 9 to pass safely through the line of beacons marking the narrow-dredged passage at the head of Denham Channel. The following factors are considered to have contributed to the grounding:

1. Lack of bridge team management processes in that:

(a) The Pilot did not communicate details of a passage plan to the ship's bridge team.

(b) There was insufficient communication between the ship's staff and Pilot in regard to progress of the vessel as various beacons were passed.

(c) The Third Mate did not draw the attention of the Master and the Pilot to a deviation from courses laid down. Lack of adequate bridge management was compounded by:

2. Inadequate monitoring by the Pilot of the position of the vessel, prior to passage of beacon No. 10, till the vessel grounded.

3. Loss of awareness by the Pilot of the vessel's position.

4. Inadequate monitoring of the vessel's position by the Master.

5. Loss of awareness by the Master of the vessel's position.

6. Chart corrections were not updated to indicate topmarks on certain beacons.