Grounded bulk carrier pilot 'not properly trained'

A report into the grounding of the bulk carrier Tai Ping on rocks at Bluff Harbour last October has found the South Port pilot controlling the vessel had not been trained in instrument-only navigation.

The 16,000-tonne, Hong Kong-owned vessel grounded in thick fog on the north-eastern side of the harbour half an hour after leaving the port shortly before 3.30am on October 8.

It was refloated nine days later after 6000 tonnes of urea had been unloaded. The national oil spill response team was on "high alert" during the operation.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission report released today said the bulk carrier ran into difficulty when fog formed rapidly soon after it left its berth under the control of a South Port harbour pilot.

"The pilot and the personnel on the port service vessels were surprised by the speed that it engulfed them and almost immediately obliterated all visual references," the report said in its findings.

Once in the fog, the harbour's navigational aids were obscured and the pilot lost situational awareness.

Instead of changing to instrument-only navigation techniques, the pilot "devised strategies to help him continue visual pilotage", the report said.

The TAIC report findings said the South Port pilot/tug master training manual required staff to receive training for instrument-only navigation, but this had not happened for any of the pilots.

"Had the pilot been trained in instrument-only techniques on the simulator he would have been better equipped to properly manage the situation."

South Port's practice of suspending shipping movements in reduced visibility meant pilots could not gain experience in managing ships under those conditions.

The TAIC report recommended that South Port evaluate its pilot/tug master training programme, including the use of the simulator, to ensure staff can respond to any conditions.

"Emphasis should be given to instituting a training programme in instrument-only navigation techniques for all South Port pilots, in line with that prescribed in the pilot/tug master training manual," the report's safety recommendations said.

The report said South Port chief executive Mark O'Connor responded by saying the company had commissioned a comprehensive risk assessment for its marine operation, which is scheduled to be completed soon.

"South Port will review all current information which has a bearing on the safety of its marine operations, including the commission's findings, with a view to making any appropriate changes."

- NZPA