MO-1998-208

At 1249 on Wednesday 29 July 1998, the Ro-Ro cargo vessel "Union Rotoma" had encountered heavy weather in the Great Australian Bight while on passage from Sydney to Adelaide. Four containers stacked two-high on the weather deck toppled, and while this event was being investigated, three larger waves caused the ship to roll heavily, resulting in a more substantial shift of cargo above and below deck. Three containers were lost overboard in the shift.

The Commission investigated the accident because the potential existed for the seaworthiness of the vessel and the safety of its crew to be compromised. Additionally, cargo lost overboard can pose a significant hazard to navigation.

Safety issues identified included poor:
• securing of cargo to cargo bases
• packaging of Ro-Ro cargo
• securing of cargo within containers
• condition of lashing equipment
• lashing procedures.

A number of safety actions were proposed by the operator and the charterer, and two further safety recommendations were made to address most of the safety issues. The Maritime Safety Authority will soon circulate draft maritime rules for the Carriage of Cargo - Stowage and Securing which, once adopted, and if complied with, should address those safety issues remaining.