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Investigation report into collision released

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released its investigation report into the collision of the 'Accolade II' with the f/v 'Sandgroper' on Feb 29, 2020, just after 04.30 a.m. off the entrance to Port Adelaide, in darkness and clear visibility conditions. The 'Sandgroper' had sustained significant structural damage to its starboard bow, while the 'Accolade II' sustained only minor damage to its deck structures and railings on the ship’s starboard side. In addition, the 'Sandgroper'’s anchor was found lodged in the 'Accolade II'’s deck railings. ATSB Director Transport Safety Stuart Macleod. said: “In the time leading up to the collision a proper lookout using all available means was not being maintained on board either vessel. Consequently, neither was aware of the risk of the collision posed by the other, until shortly before the collision, when it was too late to take effective avoiding action.” Macleod noted the navigation bridge team onboard the 'Accolade II' did not have a complete “appreciation” of the traffic situation nor the risk of collision outside the port channel before they exited the channel prior to the collision: “In particular, effective use was not made of the ship’s radar and a dedicated lookout was not posted in darkness, And while Sandgroper’s skipper did initially sight Accolade II while it was still in the channel, a proper lookout was not subsequently maintained using all available means, including radar and monitoring the port’s working channel on the radio." As a result, the 'Sandgroper'’s skipper was not aware that Accolade II had exited the channel, and that a close quarters situation was developing. “An AIS would have increased the chances of the fishing vessel being detected by Accolade II’s bridge team in sufficient time to avoid collision." The ATSB noted that 'Sandgroper' has subsequently been fitted with an AIS, while the managers of the 'Accolade II' have advised the ATSB that a navigational audit of the ship’s operations has since been conducted, resulting in several recommendations to improve the ship’s bridge resource management practices. Full report: https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2020/mair/350-mo-2020-001/