Safety issue
| Safety issue description |
In the past 25 years the ATSB and its predecessor have investigated 39 collisions between trading ships and smaller vessels on the Australian coast. These investigations have all concluded that there was a failure of the watchkeepers on board one or both vessels to keep a proper lookout and that there was an absence of early and appropriate action to avoid the collision. |
|---|---|
| Issue number | MO-2012-006-SI-01 |
| Issue owner | Fukujin Kisen and all other operators |
| Transport function | Marine: Shipboard operations |
| Date issue released | 12/12/2013 |
Safety action
| Action type | Proactive action |
|---|---|
| Action number | MO-2012-006-NSA-016 |
| Organisation | Fukujin Kisen |
| Action date | 12/12/2013 |
| Action description |
Following this incident, Fukujin Kisen issued a safety instruction to all ships in its fleet highlighting the need for watchkeepers to keep a proper lookout. They have also advised that, as a result of the ATSB investigation, they will issue a further safety instruction prohibiting activities such as playing music during a navigational watch. |
| ATSB response |
The ATSB is satisfied that the combination of actions taken and proposed by Fukujin Kisen should adequately address this safety issue. |
| Action status | Closed |
Safety action
| Action type | Safety advisory notice |
|---|---|
| Action number | MO-2012-006-SAN-015 |
| Organisation | All persons charged with navigating a vessel at sea |
| Action date | 12/12/2013 |
| Action description |
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises all persons charged with navigating vessels at sea to always maintain a proper lookout so as to identify other vessels early enough to make a full appraisal of the situation and to take appropriate, early and effective action to avoid a collision. |
| Action status | Closed |