A risk assessment for mooring a ship at the inner moorings had never been undertaken. As a result, the risks associated with leaving a ship at the inner moorings overnight during the swell season were not properly identified and strategies to minimise those risks were not implemented.
During August 2013 a risk assessment for the mooring of vessels in the port was conducted by senior Patrick safety managers. The ATSB is satisfied that this action and the results of the risk assessment adequately address this issue.
Patrick, as the port operator, recognises that there is scope to enhance the coordination of information and processes to better manage safety within the port. As part of this enhancement, Patrick, arranged for a safety training workshop to be held on Christmas Island in June 2012 and invited all users of the port who are located on the island, including stevedores and pilots.
Following on from this workshop, Patrick has put in place a procedure to facilitate regular meetings of users for the purpose of identifying and managing as a group safety issues arising from the operation and use of the port. These meetings will include an assessment of the mooring system and the overall risks posed to the port and its operations. Patrick will take all appropriate steps to ensure that the risks associated with mooring are properly assessed in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The ATSB considers that further action should be taken to address this safety issue.
The ATSB recognises that the actions taken by Patrick are a step in the process of effectively assessing the risks posed to the port and its operations. However, the ATSB recommends that Patrick takes further action to carry through with its intent to address this safety issue.
