Contact with pier by bulk carrier Chennai Nermai

Summary

On Saturday, 1 October 1994, the Indian bulk carrier Chennai Nermai, while entering the Tasmanian port of Burnie under pilotage and being turned within the harbour, made heavy contact with McGaw Pier. The concrete pier was penetrated to a depth of about 4m and the ship sustained damage to the stem and bow plating.

Conclusions

These conclusions identify the different factors contributing to the incident and should not be read as apportioning blame or liability to any particular individual or organisation.

It is considered that the contact with McGaw Pier, brought about by Chennai Nermai not stopping and swinging as the Pilot expected, was primarily the result of three factors:

1. The on-board practice of manoeuvring the vessel at engine speeds lower than the speeds indicated in the vessel's manoeuvring data.
2. The fact that the Master did not give a double ring "full astern" to obtain full astern power when the Pilot first asked for more power.
3. The lack of communication between the Master and the Pilot, in that:
   • The Master did not provide the Pilot with a duly completed pilot card and did not explain the on-board practice of manoeuvring at lower than listed engine speeds, but that "normal" "full astern" could be readily and quickly achieved by a double ring astern.
   • The Pilot did not request a pilot card or seek clarification of the poor astern power and did not discuss the port entry, vessel swing and berthing operations with the Master.

It is further considered that:

1. The drag effect of the tug Spring Cove, towed alongside to port, may have been a contributing factor to Chennai Nermai being slow to turn to starboard and not swinging clear of McGaw Pier.
2. The under-keel clearance of 5.5m in the turning area was sufficient not to adversely affect manoeuvrability.
3. The encroaching darkness was unlikely to have affected the Pilot's judgement.