Key safety lessons
- Supervise uncertified crew carrying out watchkeeping duties.
- Check fatigue risks before assigning watchkeeping duties.
- Maintain a proper lookout whenever the vessel is underway.
What happened
In the early hours of the morning, a fishing vessel grounded near a harbour entrance while returning to port.
The vessel had been at sea for a few days. Before the return voyage, the crew completed a 4-hour winch operation.
The vessel then steamed back towards port for about 2½ hours.
An uncertified crew member was at the helm and performing watchkeeping duties. The certified crew members were asleep.
The crew member at the helm also fell asleep. The vessel continued on autopilot and grounded on rocks near the harbour entrance.
Why it happened
The findings included an uncertified crew member was carrying out watchkeeping duties without direct supervision.
Marine Order 505 requires direct supervision when an uncertified person assists with deck work. Direct supervision means the person being supervised is within sight and hearing of their supervisor.
The vessel’s safety management system (SMS) identified fatigue, collision and grounding risks. It also listed controls for:
- having a crew member on watch
- maintaining a good and constant lookout
- fatigue management and priority task setting
- monitoring sleep routines.
These controls were not implemented at the time of the grounding. The investigation could not review work, rest, training or logbook records.
Your responsibilities
Under Marine Order 504, vessel owners and masters must have a safety management system that identifies and controls operational risks.
Under Marine Order 505, uncertified crew may assist with deck work only under direct supervision.
You must:
- confirm the certificate of operation is issued before operating the vessel
- assign watchkeeping duties to crew who can perform them safely
- directly supervise uncertified crew performing deck work or watchkeeping duties
- keep a proper lookout while the vessel is underway
- monitor fatigue, work hours and rest periods before assigning duties
- keep records of work, rest, training and fatigue management actions.
Review these controls regularly and update your SMS when risk controls change.
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