Executive summary
On Wednesday 6 February 2002, at about 2152, the log carrier "Jody F Millennium" with a master and 18 crew on board, grounded in the Gisborne approach channel when it encountered large swells as it left the relative shelter of the breakwater while departing from the port. The ship was subsequently driven by the swell on to the shelving shoal area to the north of the channel, where it remained for 18 days before being re-floated. At the time of the grounding the ship was still within the pilotage area, but the pilot had disembarked a few minutes earlier.
Safety issues identified included:
• adequacy of interpretation and dissemination of weather forecasts and actual weather at remote locations
• adequacy of mooring system for expected conditions
• adequacy of communication between master and pilot
• adherence to minimum criteria for safe departure with regards to under keel clearance calculated from tide times and heights
• appropriateness of early pilot disembarkation
• difficulty of a pilot working alone, without the benefit of peer discussion or challenge, leading to a one-man decision without full exploration of possible alternatives
• appropriateness of limiting dimensions of ships able to use Port of Gisborne
• adequacy of the management and employment system practised by Port of Gisborne.
Safety recommendations were made to the General Manager of Eastland Port Limited, the Chief Executive of Gisborne District Council, the General Manager of Adsteam Port Services Limited and the Gisborne Adsteam Port Services Limited pilot.
Related Recommendations
Investigate the role of a sole pilot and provide sufficient assistance for that pilot, including regular relief pilot(s) and a system of peer support.
Investigate and improve the mooring system so that it is effective for the size and type of vessels expected to utilise the port. Such improvement should include the provision of sufficient adequately trained personnel to operate the system.
Create an auditable system for the inventory, care and maintenance of the shore mooring lines and associated spares, to ensure that the equipment is in a serviceable condition at all times.
Institute standard operating procedures for maritime based activities in the port. These procedures should be prepared in conjunction with the port marine services provider. Items to be covered, but not limited to, should include limiting conditions, critical decision processes and chain of command.
Ensure that the duly appointed harbourmaster for the Port of Gisborne is employed on terms and conditions which enable him or her to properly fulfil the statutory function of the position at all material times.
Review the limiting dimensions of ships allowed to use the port to better reflect the PIANC guidelines.
Install suitable weather, tide and swell monitoring equipment to better forecast adverse conditions. For such a system to be effective, it should be monitored and the information gathered, disseminated to the relevant persons.
Prepare and use a comprehensive pilotage passage plan. The plan should be readily understandable and have sufficient detail to inform visiting ship’s masters of procedures and operating criteria, in order that they are able to safety navigate the port. Such a plan should be given to and explained to masters before commencing any transit.
Determine the least depth of the channel to establish the maximum size of vessels. Channel depths should be confirmed at sufficiently regular intervals to provide early indication of in-filling, and maintained by regular dredging. Changes in least depth should be promulgated to all appropriate persons at the earliest opportunity.