Marine safety investigations & reports
Independent investigation into the grounding of the Chinese registered bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 at Douglas Shoal, Queensland on 3 April 2010
274-MO-2010-003

Summary
At 1705 on 3 April 2010, the Chinese registered bulk carrier Shen Neng 1 grounded on Douglas Shoal, about 50 miles north of the entrance to the port of Gladstone, Queensland. The ship's hull was seriously damaged by the grounding, with the engine room and six water ballast and fuel oil tanks being breached, resulting in a small amount of pollution.
The ATSB investigation found that the grounding occurred because the chief mate did not alter the ship's course at the designated course alteration position. His monitoring of the ship's position was ineffective and his actions were affected by fatigue.
The ATSB identified four safety issues during the investigation: there was no effective fatigue management system in place to ensure that the bridge watchkeepers were fit to stand a navigational watch after they had supervised the loading of a cargo of coal in Gladstone; there was insufficient guidance in relation to the proper use of passage plans, including electronic route plans, in the ship's safety management system; there were no visual cues to warn either the chief mate or the seaman on lookout duty, as to the underwater dangers directly ahead of the ship; and, at the time of the grounding, the protections afforded by the requirement for compulsory pilotage and active monitoring of ships by REEFVTS, were not in place in the sea area off Gladstone.
The ATSB has issued two safety recommendations to Shen Neng 1's management company regarding the safety issues associated with fatigue management and passage planning and acknowledges the safety action taken by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in relation to the extension of REEFVTS coverage to include the waters off Gladstone.
Preliminary
Preliminary report released 15 April 2010
At 1705 on 3 April 2010, Shen Neng 1 grounded at Douglas Shoal, about 50 miles north of the entrance to the port of Gladstone, Queensland.
The ship had departed Gladstone at 1054 that day after loading a full cargo of coal destined for Bayuquan, China. The ship's hull was seriously damaged by the grounding and a number of water ballast tanks and at least one fuel oil tank were breached resulting in pollution. Sea water also entered the engine room. Salvors boarded the ship on 4 April. The ship was refloated on 12 April and towed to a location off Great Keppel Island.
Photos
Safety Issues
Fatigue management system
There was no effective fatigue management system in place to ensure that the bridge watch keeper was fit to stand a navigational watch after the loading in Gladstone.
Issue number: | MO-2010-003-SI-01 |
---|---|
Who it affects: | All ship owners, operators, managers and masters |
Status: | Partially addressed |
Safety management system for passage planning
The ship’s safety management system did not contain procedures or guidance on the proper use of GPS route plans and their relationship to the ship’s passage plans.
Issue number: | MO-2010-003-SI-02 |
---|---|
Who it affects: | All ship owners, operators, managers and masters |
Status: | Not addressed |
Lack of visual cues for dangers
In the 30 minutes leading up to the grounding, there were no visual cues to warn either the chief mate or the seaman on lookout duty, as to the underwater dangers directly ahead of the ship.
Issue number: | MO-2010-003-SI-03 |
---|---|
Who it affects: | All masters, deck officers and pilots |
Status: | Adequately addressed |
Sea area off Gladstone not 'protected'
At the time of the grounding, the protections afforded by some of the measures currently employed in the more northern sections of the GBR were not in place in the sea area off Gladstone.
Issue number: | MO-2010-003-SI-04 |
---|---|
Who it affects: | All masters, deck officers, pilots and VTS operators |
Status: | Adequately addressed |
General details
Date: | 03 April 2010 | Investigation status: | Completed | ||
Time: | 1705 (UTC +10) | Investigation level: | Systemic - click for an explanation of investigation levels | ||
Location (show map): | Douglas Shoal | ||||
State: | Queensland | ||||
Release date: | 14 April 2011 | Occurrence category: | Serious Incident | ||
Report status: | Final | Highest injury level: | None |
Vessel details
Vessel | Shen Neng 1 | |
---|---|---|
Flag | China | |
IMO | 9040871 | |
Type of operation | Bulk Carrier | |
Damage to vessel | Substantial | |
Departure point | Gladstone, Qld | |
Destination | Bayuquan, China |