Safety summary
What happened
At about 0610 on 18 March 2007, in near total darkness, the recreational fishing boat Norma Jean departed the Carnarvon boat harbour. About 15 minutes later, Norma Jean collided with Seatow 61, a barge that was anchored off the port. Norma Jean sank almost immediately and all four of its occupants died as a result of the collision.
The ATSB initiated a safety investigation into the collision and, in May 2008, the ATSB’s final investigation report (Marine Occurrence Investigation Report No. 237) was released.
In 2010, a coronial inquest into the deaths of the four persons on board Norma Jean was held in Carnarvon. During the inquest, evidence that was not provided to the ATSB at the time of the initial investigation was put before the Coroner.
As a result of this information, the ATSB re-opened its investigation into the accident for the purpose of correcting the public record that was contained in the initial safety investigation report. This report is the result of the re-opened investigation and examines all of the available evidence, including that provided at the time of the coronial inquest.
What the ATSB found
The ATSB found that Seatow 61’s navigation lights were probably not illuminated at the time of the collision. Furthermore, the intended use of only the barge’s navigation lights, not supplemented by illuminating its deck flood lights had not appropriately taken into account its location outside the harbour and the recreational boating activities in the area.
The investigation also determined that Norma Jean’s skipper did not identify the barge in time to avoid the collision and that the boat’s occupants were not wearing personal flotation devices.
What has been done as a result
The operators of Sea-Tow 61 have applied luminous ‘GlowMax’ paint in strips on all their barges and fitted them with bulwark mounted solar powered lights. They have also added a ‘Barge Anchoring Procedure’ and ‘Barge Anchoring Flow Chart’ to their safety management system.
The Western Australia Department of Transport has reviewed its operational procedures as a result of this accident, operational experience and ongoing auditing processes.
Safety message
All seafarers should take appropriate action to ensure that their anchored vessels are clearly identifiable at night. Such action should, at times, include the use of lighting that is above the minimum required by the collision regulations.