Master’s Multitasking During Solo Navigation Led to Grounding: NTSB

The National Transport Safety Board recently released a report criticizing the master and operator of a Great Lakes bulker for a mishap that occurred in January 2023. The incident involved the vessel, American Mariner, touching bottom while maneuvering out of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The report highlighted the challenges faced by the master, who was required to multitask during a complex maneuver and emphasized the need for a sufficient number of qualified mariners on the bridge, especially in confined spaces.

The report detailed the circumstances surrounding the incident, which took place on January 7, 2023, as the American Mariner was departing from Canadian waters bound for Superior, Wisconsin. Despite good visibility and calm sea conditions, the vessel encountered difficulties during the departure. With only the master on the bridge and a total crew of 19, the NTSB concluded that multitasking was inevitable, impacting the safe navigation of the vessel.

As the vessel straightened to head outbound, the master felt a “light shudder” and noticed the fathometer reading 13 feet below the keel. Subsequent investigations revealed an 80-foot-long hull indentation and holes in three ballast tanks, resulting in repair costs of $600,000. The NTSB attributed the mishap to the master’s initial angle of departure and close approach to shoal waters, emphasizing the importance of proper staffing on the bridge to ensure safe navigation. Additionally, the report highlighted other contributing factors, such as the absence of safety depths programmed into the electronic chart system.

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