Steering gear testing
Steering gear testing
Output Number
Approval Date
Organisation
Reederei F. Laeisz
Published Date Time
Recommendation type
Risk
Status
Mode
Date released
Background Text

The ATSB advises that Reederei F. Laeisz should consider taking further action to address this safety issue.

Preliminary inspections and tests of MSC Basel's steering system did not identify any faults. However, more thorough examinations of the entire steering systems may identify any intermittent defects.

Action taken by Reederei F. Laeisz
Reederei F. Laeisz has advised the ATSB that the spherical bearing and pin which were found seized during the investigation were replaced by the manufacturer in Singapore on 15 November 2010 with genuine spare parts. Following the repairs, the steering gear was tested and found to operate satisfactorily.

ATSB assessment of action
The ATSB has no evidence that a detailed inspection of the ship's steering system has been undertaken and remains concerned that the intermittent steering fault has not been found and rectified.