WATCHOUT Even if the data is correct, make sure you use it in the right way!

01 Oct 2021 The Navigator

What happened? 
One night, shortly after midnight, a cutter grounded on Henry Reef in the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. It sustained substantial damage to the keel, stabiliser fins and propellers, as well as several hull breaches. 

During the vessel’s passage planning process, its route plan had been amended. This inadvertently resulted in the new route being plotted across the reef. Although the cutter’s ECDIS identified the reef as a hazard, it is likely that the system’s look-ahead function did not encounter the correct chart symbol that would have generated a warning alarm prior to the grounding. 

It is likely that the ship’s officers’ visual checks were influenced by misinterpreting the chart symbology, where a single symbol represents a much larger geographical feature – and that they believed that the ECDIS would not have saved a route plotted across a chart danger. 

Enhanced safety features which could have potentially alerted the officers to the danger posed by the reef were not available. 

There were no injuries or instances of pollution reported. Once the grounded vessel was towed off the reef and stabilised, it was taken away for repair.

Why did it happen?

  • Changes to the passage plan inadvertently resulted in the vessel being rerouted to cross a dangerous reef 
  • While the hazard was identified by the onboard ECDIS, the look-ahead function did not encounter the correct chart symbol and did not trigger the warning alarm 
  • The officers conducting the visual checks are thought to have misinterpreted the chart symbols, as well as failing to spot the hazard in time to prevent the grounding 
  • The vessel’s ECDIS had not been updated to the latest IHO standards, compromising the data produced

What changes have been made?

  • There is an increased focus on passage planning, watchkeeping and use of ECDIS. Annual audits now include enhanced training and information sessions and watchkeeper assessments 
  • The training package and requirements for ECDIS annual familiarisation training has been updated. Task books have implemented for each role to reduce the effects of incorrect information being passed on by trickle-down training 
  • Specific training documentation for the navigation officer’s role has also been improved

Read the full report here or watch the short video below: