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Usage of tugs
Date issue released
Safety Issue Description

Tugs were to be available to escort the mini cape-size ships until they had entered the South Channel, where they were stood down. However, the tug masters had not been trained in the specifics of escort towage nor in emergency response.

Issue number
MO-2017-010-SI-02
Issue Status
Closed – Adequately addressed
Transport Function
Marine: Shipboard operations
Issue Owner
Ports North
Mode of Transport
Marine
Issue Status Justification

The action taken by training all pilots and tug masters in emergency response and escort towage adequately address the issue.

Proactive action
Action number
MO-2017-010-NSA-02
Organisation
Maritime Safety Queensland
Action date
Action Status
Closed
Action description

Safety action taken:

The Manager Pilotage Services advised the following proactive actions have been taken:

All Ports Norths pilots and Smit Lamnalco tug masters have completed together emergency response and escort towage training including:

  • emergency towage scenarios
  • positioning and use of tugs in an emergency
  • competency in standard escort tug manoeuvres and indirect towage.
  • Arrival and departure briefs developed for the Port of Weipa have been updated with:
  • safety settings for electronic chart display and information system
  • tidal information
  • weather conditions
  • wind limits and tug positions/line lengths.

All masters and ship bridge teams are briefed before arrivals and departures.