Independent investigation into the collision between the Singaporean registered offshore supply vessel Far Swan and the barge Miclyn 131, at Dampier, Western Australia, on 6 October 2010

Executive summary

At about 1944 on 6 October 2010, the offshore supply vessel Far Swan collided with the barge Miclyn 131 in the port of Dampier, Western Australia. At the time, Miclyn 131 was being towed by the Western Australia registered vessel Global Supplier. Both Far Swan and Miclyn 131 sustained minor damage as a result of the collision but there were no injuries or pollution.

The ATSB investigation found that Global Supplier's skipper was not keeping a proper lookout at the time of collision and that Miclyn 131's navigation lights were not appropriately mounted.

The investigation also identified three safety issues: that Global Supplier was not exhibiting the correct navigational lights for a vessel engaged in towing operations; Dampier Port Authority's pilotage directions were unclear and ambiguous with respect to the requirements for towing vessels or on the use of pilotage exemptions by crew other than the master; and that Global Supplier was not fitted with radar or an AIS unit which would be required under the provisions of the current National Standard for Commercial Vessels.

The ATSB is satisfied with the safety actions taken to address two of these issues but has issued a safety advisory notice about the lack of a requirement for the carriage of radar and AIS on small commercial vessels surveyed under the Uniform Shipping Laws code.