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Propeller wash and over-reaction on the part of the tug master are two factors which contributed to the collision between the British flag container ship Ariake and the tug Redcliffe, in the Brisbane river on 24 January 2000, according to an ATSB report released today.
The incident occurred at 0654 as Ariake was approaching its berth at Fisherman Islands container terminal. A sizeable hole was torn in the ships hull plating above the waterline with the tug also sustaining significant damage in the collision.
A Brisbane Marine Pilot was navigating the ship up the river at the time of the incident with two tugs present to assist the berthing manoeuvre. Redcliffe was secured to the ships port quarter with a short towline.
The pilot had decided to stop Ariake in the river off the berth to allow an inbound dredge to pass down the ships starboard side. The pilot ordered the ships main engines to be put astern and a short time later the tug was washed in under the ships stern. Redcliffe made heavy contact twice with Ariake, in quick succession, with most of the damage to both vessels occurring as a result of the second impact.
According to its report, the ATSB has identified several different factors contributing to the incident including that the tug was initially washed in under the ships stern counter as a result of the astern movement on the ships port main engine. The report also concludes that the tug master misjudged his response to the initial impact, which resulted in the second impact, and that there were some human factors issues inherent in the operation of the tugs manoeuvring system.
Copies of the report can be obtained from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, PO Box 967, Civic Square, ACT 2608, telephone (02) 62746088. The report may also be downloaded from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) website, www.atsb.gov.au.
Media Contact: Veronika Sain (Public Affairs): (02) 6274 7612
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