Executive summary
On Saturday 8 October 2005 at about 1312, the container ship "Spirit of Resolution" collided stern first with the Old Mangere Bridge as the ship departed Onehunga when control of the unberthing manoeuvre was lost during high winds. There were no injuries. The ship, old road bridge and wharf all sustained damage during the incident.
Safety issues identified included:
- bridge resource management
- contingency planning for emergency situations on board
- ambiguities in the pilotage exemption requirements and training for Manukau Harbour.
Safety recommendations were made to the Chief Executive of Pacifica Shipping and the Director of Maritime New Zealand to address these safety issues.
Related Recommendations
as part of the current review of Maritime Rule Part 90 resolve any ambiguities that may exist between the regulatory and port specific requirements for the issuance and continued currency of pilotage exemption certificates to ensure a standardised application.
Instigate a programme of training and practice amongst members of bridge navigational teams, especially Masters, in ship handling and manoeuvring for their specific ships in simulated abnormal situations in safety critical areas for their standard voyages. Such situations should include but not be limited to, bad weather, engine failure, steering failure.
Instigate a programme of training and practice to reinforce bridge resource management techniques amongst members of bridge navigational teams on board the company’s vessels.