Training and management criticised over tanker grounding

11.45am

A lack of technical knowledge and management oversight contributed to the grounding of an oil tanker last year, the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has found.

The MSA today released its report on the grounding on April 16 of Capella Voyager, a supertanker carrying 108,000 tonnes of crude oil to the Marsden Pt refinery.

When the ship grounded it split its hull, which allowed thousands of tonnes of water to leak into a ballast tank. The vessel was able to berth and the damage repaired before it sailed for Singapore.

"The lack of sufficient technical knowledge and the appropriate training of pilots relating to the allowances to be applied when determining a safe under-keel clearance (was a contributing factor)," the MSA report said.

The report also said there was a "collective oversight" on the part of management of North Tugz Ltd, the Northland Regional Council, Northport Ltd and Ports of Auckland Ltd, "who did not undertake formal risk and safety assessments relating to port entry and departure".

The report said the assessment of the swell by the pilot who guided Capella Voyager in was restricted to a "purely visual appreciation", and no adequate link was made between the swell height and period and their combined effect on the ship and its keel clearance.

It also said real time data which could have been provided by a wave rider buoy would probably have prevented the grounding.

After the Capella Voyager grounding the MSA initiated an industry working party to prevent another grounding. However, there was a similar incident in late July when the Korean-flagged Eastern Honour oil tanker hit the seabed en route to the refinery.

As part of the working party recommendations, a wave rider buoy has recently been installed at the approaches to the port.

The MSA recommended North Tugz provide appropriate training for their pilots in respect of vessel motions in restricted waters, and in the meantime continue to impose restrictions on deep drafted vessels entering the port.

Other recommendations in the report included:

- North Tugz, along with the harbourmaster, implement an assessment for the control and monitoring of risks for vessels under pilotage.

The MSA said the process should be fully documented and subject to periodic external audit.

- North Tugz implement structured and documented operational plans and systems on pilotage procedures and passage planning.

- ChevronTexaco Shipping Company LLC hold annual seminars on under-keel clearance for its masters.

Last year the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report into the grounding found while the pilot had calculated the amount of static clearance under the keel of the tanker he had not made any allowance for other dynamic conditions.

- NZPA

Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/marine