AUS: Grounding Of Norvantes

2 August 1999 D08/99

Several Factors Contribute To Grounding Of Norvantes

The displacement of a critical channel marker was a trigger that bought a number of causal factors into play, all of which contributed to the grounding of the Singapore cattle carrier Norvantes, according to a report released today by the Marine Incident Investigation Unit of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The report states that the ship was grounded in an approach channel near Karumba, Queensland on 19 November.

The ship was refloated within 24 hours and after an inspection of the hull and an inspection of the cattle on board by a vet, the ship was permitted to continue its voyage to the Philippines. Nobody was hurt, none of the cattle were injured and no pollution resulted from the grounding.

The displaced channel mark should have indicated an alteration of course position for the pilot. However, when he realised that it was out of position he estimated his turning point and turned too early.

The report also identifies factors of poor bridge resource management, limited visibility from the bridge, navigation lights lost in the "black scatter" of a shore construction project, an inappropriate chart scale and fatigue as being among other factors contributing to the grounding.

Copies of the report can be obtained from the Marine Incident Investigation Unit, GPO Box 594, Canberra, ACT, 2601, telephone (02) 6274 6088. Reports may be downloaded from the MIIU web site, www.miiu.gov.au

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