Transport for NSW (NSW Maritime), as the statutory agency responsible for ensuring that New South Wales was prepared to respond to an incident in accordance with the state’s plan that it maintained, had not effectively met this obligation. This resulted in the long delay in New South Wales assuming control of the incident and contributed to the inadequate coordination of the emergency response required for a single, integrated and comprehensive response and significantly prolonged the emergency.
To be advised
Transport for NSW (NSW Maritime) advised the ATSB that it did not agree with the conclusions and contributing factors detailed in the investigation report with respect to its role and response to the Portland Bay incident.
However, NSW Maritime advised that since the incident it had taken the following action:
The ATSB notes with concern that NSW Maritime does not agree with the investigation’s findings with respect to its role and response to the incident. Of particular concern is the preparedness of the state to respond to an incident in accordance with the NSW Coastal Waters Marine Pollution Plan. This is heightened by the response of the Port Authority of New South Wales to the incident and the investigation’s findings, the lack of any safety action by the Port Authority and its interpretation that its role as the combat agency was not ‘enlivened’ during the incident.
The ATSB acknowledges the safety action taken by NSW Maritime, but further action is necessary to adequately address this safety issue to ensure that New South Wales is prepared to respond to an incident in the future, including effective response coordination with national and state agencies. Therefore, the ATSB has issued the following safety recommendation to NSW Maritime.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Transport for NSW (NSW Maritime) takes safety action to adequately address this safety issue and ensure that New South Wales is prepared to effectively respond to an incident in accordance with the state’s plan.
