Safety Issue

The Port Authority of New South Wales did not have a proper and correct understanding of its responsibilities for emergency response under its operating licence and relevant state plans. This contributed to the inadequate coordination of emergency towage, salvage and refuge, which were critical for the single, integrated and comprehensive response required and significantly prolonged the emergency.

Response by Port Authority of New South Wales

The Port Authority of New South Wales (Port Authority) did not advise the ATSB that it had taken or proposed to take any safety action to address this safety issue. The Port Authority advised the ATSB that its roles and responsibilities under relevant state plans and its operating licence were limited to responding to spills (pollution) and because that did not occur during this incident, its role as a combat agency under the NSW Coastal Waters Marine Pollution Plan was not ‘enlivened’.

ATSB comment

The ATSB has significant concerns that the Port Authority has not taken safety action to address this safety issue, and its interpretation of its roles and responsibilities under the state’s plans and its operating licence. The ATSB considers the ongoing risk due to this issue is unacceptably high with potentially severe consequences in the event of a similar incident and has, therefore, issued the following safety recommendation to the Port Authority.