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Shen Neng runs aground on Douglas Shoal
Shen Neng runs aground on Douglas Shoal
People
Shen Neng ships mates
At sea, anchor or in port the ship's mates maintained a watch-keeping routine of 4 hours on and 8 hours off.
Chief mate
While in port, the chief mate worked extra hours to supervise cargo operations
20 years of seagoing experience
11 years as a mate supervising navigation watches
Received Chinese qualifications as a chief mate in 2007 and was promoted to rank of chief mate
Joined the Shen Neng crew one month before the grounding
First trip to Gladstone
The chief mate had not received enough sleep
AND
The chief mate was fatigued
AND
The chief mate had to stand watch on the 3 April after only 2.5 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period
AND
1 more item...
Second mate
12 years at sea
10 years working with the managers of the Shen Neng
5 years experience as a mate in charge of navigation
4 months onboard the Shen Neng
Third mate
Harbour pilot
Shen Neng has a crew of 23 Chinese nationals
Crew members held qualifications for their positions in accordance with international requirements
Deck officers
Consisted of the master and three mates
Ships Master
24 years of seagoing experience
Completed his Chinese master’s qualifications in 1992
Promoted to master in 2003
Joined Shen Neng crew 6 months before the grounding
This was his first trip to Gladstone
Shipwright
Deploys anchors
Helmsman
Steers the ship
OR
Languages spoken by crew
Could language barriers have been a contributing factor to this incident?
No mention of the languages spoken by the crew was found in the report
Chinese consists of hundreds of language varieties some not mutually understandable
Environment
Port of Gladstone, Queensland Australia
Located at 24 degrees south latitude
Australia's third largest coal export port
70% of cargo handled at the port is coal exports
Additional cargoes include bauxite, alumina and cement
Outside of REEFVTS coverage at the time of the incident
The Great Barrier Reef
Douglas Shoal
Marine Park and World Heritage listed area
1990, the Great Barrier Reef was also declared a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA)
Australia has an international obligation to protect the reef and its wildlife
The region sustains a variety of commercial and recreational activities, including fishing and tourism
Contributes $5 billion per year to the Australian economy
Eleven ports operate within the the Marine Park
Contributes $11 billion to Australia’s export trade
Equipment
Shen Neng 1 (Chinese registered bulk carrier)
Built in 1993 by Sanoyas Hishino Meisho Corporation, Kurushiki, Japan
Overall length of 225.0 m, a breadth of 32.3 m and a depth of 18.3 m. The ship has a deadweight of 70,181 tonnes at its summer draught of 13.291 m
seven cargo holds
four fuel tanks under after cargo holds
double bottom ship
powered by Sulzer 6RTA62 two-stroke, single acting, direct reversing, diesel engine that develops 8,827 kW at 97 rpm
service speed of 12 knots
The vessel is registered in China
owned by Chinese company Shenzhen Energy Transport
Managed by Chinese company Tosco Keymax International Ship Management Company
navigation bridge was equipped with navigational equipment consistent with SOLAS requirements
two global positioning system (GPS) units (a Raytheon NAV398 and a Furuno GP-80)
Sailor KDU1905 automatic identification system (AIS) unit
two X-band radars
global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS) station
Inmarsat-C satellite communications terminal
The ship had no electronic charting system
Navigation aids
North Reef near Douglas Shoal has a navigation light as well as a RACON (A radar beacon which transmits a morse code signal upon receiving a radar signal from a passing ship and identifies the RACON location on the vessels radar display
The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service (REEFVTS)
Traffic Information Module (TIM)
A ship reporting system (REEFREP)
Monitoring and surveillance systems
Automated position reporting via Inmarsat-C polling and VHF radio reports
Radar
AIS
Navigational assistance is provided via VHF radio
Gladstone Vehicle Traffic System (Gladstone VTS)
Procedures
Numerous procedures have been introduced to protect the Great Barrier Reef from shipping
compulsory pilotage between Cairns and Cape York
Introduction of an IMO adopted ship reporting system, requiring ships to report their positions on a regular basis.
Coastal vessel traffic service7 (VTS)
Near real-time monitoring of ships
Provides masters of ships with information on potential traffic conflicts and other navigation information
A system of zoning was introduced to allow ships to transit the reef in designated areas
This included general use zones and designated shipping areas (DSAs)
An extensive aids-to-navigation network, which includes lights, buoys and satellite systems was implemented throughout the region
The Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Vessel Traffic Service (REEFVTS)
Objective: 'enhance navigational safety in its designated area by interacting with shipping, to minimise the risk of a ship related incident, environmental damage and pollution and to provide the ability for a quicker response to an incident.'
Major components of REEFVTS
A ship reporting system (REEFREP)
Monitoring and surveillance systems
AIS
Radar
Automated position reporting via Inmarsat-C polling and VHF radio reports
These systems and various databases are integrated into a Traffic Information Module (TIM)
The TIM display uses electronic navigational charts and ship position and track information
TIM information is displayed using data from AIS, radar or Inmarsat-C polling
TIM allows real or near real time monitoring of ships positions
Automated alarms are used to monitor ships in the large area covered by TIM and REEFVTS
When a ship breaches limits set within in the TIM, an alarm (shallow water alert, exiting corridor) is activated or a critical turn alarm advises the ships crew.
The REEFVTS service’s 24 hour operational centre, REEFCENTRE, was located at Hay Point near Mackay.
The centre was electronically linked to AMSA’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Canberra to enhance coordination and communication,
Services provided by REEFVTS
Navigational assistance (information to assist shipboard decision making)
Ships receive STI and MSI when entering the area and then at least every 5 hours, normally via Inmarsat-C
Navigational assistance is provided via VHF radio
Ships are required to keep a listening watch on the appropriate REEFVTS VHF channel and channel 16
Reports are made via VHF when a ship enters or exits the area
Reports are required via VHF when pilot boards or disembarks a ship
Ship traffic information (STI)
STI consists of TIM-generated ship encounter predictions which include ship’s names and encounter times for the next 6 hours and any changes to earlier predictions
Maritime safety information (MSI)
MSI includes navigational warnings and information
Extent of the REEFVTS coverage at the time of the incident
At the time of the incident the southern limit of REEFVTS coverage was at 22 degrees latitude close to High Peak Island around 120 miles north of Gladstone
The grounding at Douglas Shoal took place only 50 miles north of Gladstone
Gladstone Vehicle Traffic System (Gladstone VTS)
Gladstone VTS manages the movements of vessels within the port’s pilotage area.
Gladstone pilotage area extends 2 miles east of the pilot boarding area and covers anchorages as well as the entrance to Gladstone Port
Departing vessels make their final report to VTS when the pilot exits the vessel. VTS monitors the vessel until it is clear of the pilotage area.
Designated Shipping Lanes (DSA)
Established recognised passages and port approaches
DSA area may be entered without permission for navigation and without a compulsory pilot
Shipping Routes through the GBR to and from Gladstone
The area of the GBR off Gladstone is south of 22°S. When the grounding on Douglas Shoal occurred it was outside the boundaries of the area covered by REEFVTS and coastal pilotage requirements
The areas of the GBR off Gladstone are not too complex to navigate due to open areas of sea.
Vessels navigating in the permitted zones and DSAs may do so by following normal practices of vigilance and proper seamanship
Vessels departing Gladstone may choose from multiple routes to transit the GBR Marine Park
This choice is determined by the ships destination and draught
The GBR area east of Gladstone is not a compulsory pilot zone
The area off Gladstone can be safely navigated by utilising the general zone use and DSAs
DSAs are clearly marked on appropriate scale navigational charts
Islands off Gladstone are equipped with navigation aids which includes lights
North Reef near Douglas Shoal has a navigation light as well as a RACON (A radar beacon which transmits a morse code signal upon receiving a radar signal from a passing ship and identifies the RACON location on the vessels radar display
Organisation
The Shen Neng is owned by a Chinese company and registered in China
Owned by Chinese company Shenzhen Energy Transport
Managed by Chinese company Tosco Keymax International Ship Management Company
Third parties
Harbour pilots
Guided the Shen Neng into and out of Gladstone Port
Australian Transport Safety Bureau
Conducted the investigation into the incident
Published the accident report
Identified four safety issues
Ineffective fatigue management for watchkeepers onboard
Inadequate guidance for passage planning including electronic route planning
REEFVTS and compulsory piloting were not in place off of Gladstone at the time of the grounding
No visual warnings for the crew on lookout regarding the shallow water ahead of the ship before the grounding
Issued two safety recommendations to Shen Neng’s management company
Safety issue associated with fatigue management
Safety issue regarding passage planning
Responsible for conducting investigations to identify safety issues in the transport environment
Australian Hydrographic Service.
Published the charts reproduced in the investigation report
Commonwealth of Australia
Responsible for maintaining the GBR Marine Park
Responsible for legislation including:Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and Regulations
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
manages the REEFVTS network