The REEFVTS monitoring system did not provide an ‘exiting corridor alarm’ when Atlantic Blue exited the two-way route that it was transiting because the route had not been defined as a navigational corridor.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by Fleet Management will adequately address the safety issue.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), joint competent authority of REEFVTS, has advised the ATSB that following Atlantic Blue’s grounding a process to annually review electronic corridors was introduced. Reviews are to be conducted by REEFVTS staff from AMSA and Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ).
The joint reviews completed have taken into account REEFVTS records of past tracks and positions of ships to define electronic corridors that closely follow two-way routes. Two-way routes in the Torres Strait, including the route between Twin Island and Kirkcaldie Reef, have been defined as electronic corridors.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by REEFVTS adequately addresses the safety issue.
