A lack of Bridge resource management training has contributed to this

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released its investigative report into the collision of a bulk carrier with two tugboats in Tasmania last year, emphasizing the importance of bridge resource management (BRM) and bridge system design to reduce the risk of human error.

On 28 January 2022, the Australian-flagged bulk carrier Goliath was turning in the pivot basin to dock in the Port of Devonport, Tasmania when it collided with two moored tugs, which subsequently sank. There were no personnel on board the tug at that time.

Goliath’s captain had gone from the wheelhouse to the port bridge wing helm station to complete the turn. The correct steering mode was not selected during this transfer of maneuvering control. Subsequently, the captain’s maneuvering commands, given in the belief that the ship was in joystick steering mode, had the unintended effect of increasing the ship’s speed as it approached the tugs.

The ATSB determined that neither the master nor second mate on Goliath had completed the required BRM training and effective BRM was not evident during the incident.

“The various concepts, techniques and attitudes that together make up BRM remain among the most effective measures available to identify and eliminate or correct human error,” said ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell.

Since the incident, operator CSL Australia has ensured that all deck officers serving aboard the Goliath attend shore-based BRM training and has included BRM training in its fleet crew training schedule. In addition, the operator had modified Goliath’s joystick panels to include a positive visual indication that the joystick steering mode was selected.

The ATSB noted that while the TasPorts risk assessment for Devonport had considered the possibility of collisions between vessels maneuvering in the swing basin and smaller vessels nearby, it did not specifically address the risk of injury to personnel aboard these smaller vessels. It was more of a coincidence that there were no personnel on board the tugs at the time of the collision.