Bridge resource management (BRM) was not effectively implemented on board Maersk Garonne. The ship’s passage plan for the pilotage was inadequate, its bridge team members were not actively engaged in the pilotage and they did not effectively monitor the ship’s passage.
The issues identified and safety action taken by Maersk Line Ship Management, along with planned enhancements, indicate the company’s commitment to reiterating the roles and responsibilities of the master and crew during navigation with a pilot on board. The company’s Nautical Excellence program will enhance bridge resource management and improve compliance with bridge procedures.
Maersk Line Ship Management advised the ATSB that its investigations identified that pilotage planning and bridge team performance were lacking on board Maersk Garonne. The company has since issued fleet circulars in relation to pilotage and groundings, which highlight this grounding and other incidents in its fleet. The circulars provide relevant guidance, including emphasising the roles and responsibilities of the master and ship’s crew during navigation with a pilot on board.
The company also advised that it has started a Nautical Excellence program across its fleet. The program includes a system of nautical notices to share fleet-wide near miss and incident reports and lessons learned. The program includes audits to check compliance with bridge procedures and addressing identified deficiencies through training and education. Available bridge resource management programs are to be evaluated and considered for implementation fleet-wide.
