Tag: Passage Planning

Many maritime accidents are caused by errors of bridge personnel and inadequate bridge procedures. In order to reduce this number, deck department has to be well prepared before a vessel’s departure for a voyage at the sea. These preparations may include many complexities and this is the reason why a bunch of things should be considered and prepared carefully, to ensure a smooth voyage passage and safe navigation.

UKHO introduced route diagrams alongside tabulated waypoint and route data to help mariners find key information quickly. It has also identified the world’s busiest trade routes for inclusion in the new edition, as well as those that are emerging. New route additions include voyages for ships calling at important commodity hubs in the Black Sea and Persian Gulf.

In October 2016, 'Stellar Sea' with 28 people on board, departed Tofino, British Columbia, on a bear-watching excursion, when it struck a charted rock and went aground. The passengers and crew abandoned the vessel and were evacuated. Two passengers sustained minor injuries.

A fisherman with over 40 years experience has been sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years after pleading guilty to offences under the UK Merchant Shipping Act, for running aground his fishing vessel at Mountbatten Breakwater. District Judge said that alcohol affect the fisherman’s actions.

New Zealand's TAIC issued an investigation report on the grounding of the bulk carrier 'Molly Manx', off the Otago Harbour, in August 2016, revealing that the root causes of the accident were lost of situational awareness and no mutual understanding of the passage planning.

The Thome Group announced that it has opened a new operations hub at its office in Singapore, in order to enhance the quality of its ship management services and reaction times to emergency responses.

On 22 November 2016, the Maltese registered bulk carrier Robusto ran aground and remained stranded in the entrance of El Dekheila Channel, Egypt. Transport Malta's MSIU issued an investigation report, revealing that the course recommended by the pilot was different from the one prepared in the passage planning.

The bulk carrier Muros ran aground on Haisborough Sand last December. UK MAIB report identified that Muros’s route was planned and monitored by the 2/O using the vessel’s ECDIS. However, system and procedural safeguards intended to prevent grounding were either overlooked, disabled or ignored.

On August 2016, the semi-submersible rig Transocean Winner grounded on the Isle of Lewis, following the loss of tow from the tug ALP Forward. The tug and tow was on passage from Stavanger, Norway to Valletta, Malta, when it encountered severe weather west of the Hebrides.

USCG announced that it is reopening the comment period for the Alternative Planning Criteria (APC) National Guidelines awaiting comments related to the economic impact of the policy, especially in remote areas. Additionally, the coast Guard is interested in public comment regarding the exercise and verification aspects of the policy.