MO-1999-207

At about 1245 on Saturday, 15 May 1999, the bulk log carrier "Pacific Princess" grounded on Pania Reef outside Napier Harbour. The vessel had departed Port Napier with a harbour pilot on board; before disembarking he had briefed the master with regard to navigating clear of the reef. Despite the briefing the master misidentified the 2 cardinal buoys that marked the north and south extremities of the reef and altered the course of his vessel onto the reef. After the grounding the pilot re-boarded the vessel, and with the assistance of 2 tugs the vessel was refloated. There were no injuries but the "Pacific Princess" sustained extensive underwater damage.

Safety issues identified included:
• the lack of harbour passage planning by the master of the "Pacific Princess"
• the poor standard of bridge resource management on the bridge of the "Pacific Princess"
• the language barrier between the master and the crew, and the master and the pilot
• the high authority gradient between the master and the crew owing to their cultural differences
• low compliance with the requirements of the International Safety Management Code by the operator and crew of the "Pacific Princess".