Independent investigation into the grounding of the Antigua and Barbuda registered bulk carrier Enterprise, at Grassy Harbour, King Island, Tasmania, on 10 May 2007

Executive summary

At about 1045 on 10 May 2007, the bulk carrier Enterprise grounded briefly as it was being manoeuvred in the confined waters of Grassy Harbour, King Island, Tasmania. The ship was under the conduct of the pilot, who was following the pilotage plan he usually used for the ship when it called at the port.

Prior to the ship's entry to the port, its after draught had been reduced to 5.0 m so that a minimum under keel clearance of 0.5 m could be maintained alongside the berth. At that draught, the ship's controllable pitch propeller was not fully submerged. However, neither the pilot nor the master adequately considered the effect that the reduced draught would have on the efficiency of the propeller and therefore, the ship's manoeuvrability.

While manoeuvring off the berth, the pilot was forced to maintain astern pitch for longer than he had planned. As a result, the ship was subjected to the effects of the propeller's transverse thrust on its stern for longer. The transverse thrust combined with the starboard thrust of the bow thruster, which was being used to maintain the ship's heading, resulted in the ship moving bodily to starboard and grounding on rocks at the southern end of the main breakwater. The ship's propeller was damaged, but Enterprise was not disabled. No pollution resulted from the grounding.

The ATSB has issued one recommendation to address a safety issue identified in the report.