MO-2000-204

On Sunday 7 May 2000, at about 2000 hours, the refrigerated cargo carrier, "Caribic", departed Tauranga with 10 crew and a harbour pilot on board. The vessel successfully negotiated the Cutter Channel and turned to starboard to round Mount Maunganui into the departure channel. The rate of turn became excessive and the master and pilot were unable to reduce it sufficiently to prevent the vessel grounding inside Tanea number 2 buoy. The vessel was refloated and returned to its berth assisted by 2 harbour tugs. There were no injuries but the vessel suffered moderate hull bottom damage.

Safety issues identified included:

• the crewing level on the bridge of the "Caribic"
• the inability to fulfil the principles of bridge resource management
• serviceability of navigational and monitoring equipment on board the "Caribic"
• a critical manoeuvring characteristic of the vessel was not adequately conveyed to the pilot.

Safety recommendations were made to the technical director of Seatrade Groningen B.V., the Chief Executive of Port of Tauranga Limited and to the chief executives and harbourmasters of all Regional Councils to address the safety issues.