The Chief Investigator, Transport Safety (CITS) is investigating the grounding of the Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP) launch PV Corsair at Queenscliff on 5 October 2023. CITS is conducting the investigation under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (Cth), under an agreement with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
On the night of 5 October 2023, the Port Phillip Sea Pilots launch PV Corsair was returning to the pilot station in Queenscliff after retrieving the pilot from an outbound ship. At about 2319, while transiting Port Phillip Heads, the vessel ran aground on the reef extending from Point Lonsdale. The skipper, the deckhand and the pilot abandoned the vessel into a life raft and were rescued by Victoria Water Police. There were no reported injuries to the rescued persons. The pilot launch was wrecked. The shipping channel was closed during the rescue and salvage operations.
The evidence collection phase of the investigation will involve the examination of the recovered wreckage, interviewing witnesses, retrieving and reviewing recorded data, and the collection of other relevant information.
Should a critical safety issue be identified during the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken.
A final report will be published at the conclusion of the investigation.