Procedures for harbour tugs to meet inbound ships and for their co-ordinated movement in the Fremantle pilotage area were not clearly defined. On 28 February, inadequate co-ordination of the tugs and ineffective communication between Maersk Garonne’s pilot and the tug masters resulted in both tugs, the second one in particular, being significantly delayed from when they could reasonably have been expected to be on station.
The actions taken by Fremantle Ports, Fremantle Pilots and Svitzer Australia clarify the roles and responsibilities of all parties with respect to the monitoring and management of tugs during pilotage and port entry. This increases safety margins and reduces the likelihood of a similar incident occurring in the future.
Fremantle Pilots advised that it has reviewed and updated the company’s safety management system and associated procedures and guidelines with respect to communications with tugs. Pilots are now required to establish contact with attending tugs when clearing the Deepwater Channel. They are to confirm the tugs will be on station, discuss intended manoeuvres and confirm visual sighting of the tugs prior to coming in line with the Inner Harbour leads.
Svitzer Australia has advised the ATSB that, in consultation with Fremantle Pilots, it has assessed and updated towage job allocation times, including defining tug on station times. Communication procedures between pilots and tug masters have also been clarified and agreed.
Further, tug masters, together with Fremantle Ports and Fremantle Pilots, now conduct regular simulator training including emergency response. Svitzer Australia’s tug masters also complete regular, Svitzer specific in-house training, including in contingency and emergency procedures, as part of employment requirements.
Fremantle Ports advised that it has clarified the role of the vessel traffic service in assisting ship arrivals and berthing. Meetings and discussions have been conducted with Fremantle Pilots and Svitzer Australia in relation to this incident during which the expectations, roles and responsibilities of all parties were clarified. The actions taken by these organisations were assessed as being sufficient to satisfy Fremantle Ports’ requirements with respect to safe entry of ships into the port.
