Executive summary
On Tuesday 8 October 2002 at 0356, the bulk carrier "Tai Ping", with a pilot, a master and 22 crew on board, became engulfed by thick fog, left the Bluff approach channel and grounded. The ship remained aground until 17 October 2002 and suffered extensive damage to the bottom plating.
Safety issues identified included:
• adequacy of pilot training, including simulation
• adequacy and interpretation of weather forecasts for port areas
• adequacy of bridge resource management
• adequacy of resource management within the port service personnel
• adequacy of the operational procedures in the port.
Safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of South Port Limited to address these issues.
Related Recommendations
Determine the availability of weather forecasts specifically for Bluff and the port environs.
Evaluate South Port’s pilot/tug master training programme including the use of the simulator to determine the most efficient method of ensuring that all staff are suitably equipped to respond to any operational eventuality. Emphasis should be given to instituting a training programme in instrument only navigation techniques for all South Port pilots, in line with that prescribed in the pilot/tug master training manual.
Promote resource management concepts throughout the operational staff of the port.
Review the company’s procedure manuals with the purpose of ensuring that there is sufficient information available for personnel responsible for making critical decisions to make informed judgements. Wherever possible, foreseeable risks should be addressed and contingency plans put in place and practised.
Promote the bridge resource management concepts by requiring pilots to use them at every opportunity.