Outline: Distractions can lead to serious, potentially fatal, consequences. What the reporter told us: CHIRP received a report concerning the allision of a vessel with an offshore wind turbine tower. We attempted to clarify some points and gain more information, but the reporter declined to engage further. However, during our own investigation, the basic details […]
Outline: A report about flooding that could have had a tragic outcome. What the reporter told us: A large yacht (100m+) weighed anchor and got under way with the intention of completing a 2-hour passage to another anchorage. The weather was good and the sea calm. Approximately 10 minutes after getting under way, an alarm […]
Outline: A report highlighting a complete lack of respect for the water that could have turned into a tragedy. What the reporter told us: At approximately 16:15 a friend and I were anchoring a RIB just off the beach. I was approached by a man in a wetsuit who asked for assistance as he had […]
Outline: Without effective communication safety is compromised. What the reporter told us: I would like to report three issues I encountered on what should have been a routine pilotage operation, that effectively resulted in a complete lack of effective BRM and communication. The initial area of concern was that communication with the bridge team was […]
Outline: Defects, errors and anomalies with equipment do occur, but once they are identified they need to be addressed and resolved in a timely fashion. What the reporter told us: The vessel’s ECDIS displayed an incorrect position – the vessel was displayed halfway over the wharf when alongside. In addition, the vessel’s AIS had significantly […]
Outline: This report from a captain reinforces the need to be thoroughly familiar with the equipment on board your ship. What the reporter told us: During the handover prior to taking command, I noted the echo sounder manufacturer and the type of installation. This ship had two transducers, one forward and one aft. There was […]
Outline: Nobody ever deliberately sets out to have an accident or to injure themselves, but some people appear to try very hard. What the reporter told us: Whilst our vessel was alongside, I observed the following on an adjacent vessel. A crew member (or possibly a contractor) was standing on the outside of the back […]
Outline: There are two sides to every story. What the reporter told us: We were anchored in a creek in a river estuary and had taken alongside an accompanying boat for repairs to their anchor winch. Both boats, motor cruisers of around 12m in length, were well fendered. Whilst anchored, we noticed a pilot boat […]
With respect to your article in MFB56 regarding the master pilot exchange, it mentions that the main engine failed to start astern because the vessel was travelling at 3.5 knots. When the vessel reduced to 3 knots then there was no problem in getting the engine to go astern. Is the 3 knots figure an […]
Further to your article, “Drug abuse on fishing vessels” in MFB58 I was interested in the comment “However, CHIRP is not aware of any similar type of simple device on board vessels for detecting the presence of drugs. Such a procedure usually requires third party involvement, similar to the monitoring of sports personnel”. It is […]