Safety Issue
On 8 June 2007, Newcastle Vessel Traffic Information Centre
asked the masters of three ships, including Pasha Bulker,
to leave the restricted area off the ports entrance. Given that all
three ships were struggling to clear the coast and that there was
no need to keep the area clear because there was no traffic into or
out of the port, these communications were of no benefit and
unnecessary, and may also have adversely influenced the decisions
of masters, including Pasha Bulker's.
Safety Recommendation
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that Newcastle
Port Corporation take action to address this safety issue.