Rules and regulations for rudder angle indicator systems
Date issue released
Issue number
Issue Status
Open – Safety action pending
Transport Function
Shore operations
Issue Owner
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Mode of Transport
Marine
Safety Issue Description

Although Hagen Oldendorff’s steering and rudder angle indicator systems complied with the applicable rules and regulations, neither the SOLAS regulations, nor the rules of the ship’s responsible classification society, Lloyd’s Register, mandated protection of the ship's rudder angle indication systems against a single point of failure in power supply, nor did they require installation of audible or visual alerts to notify the bridge team of a power failure affecting the indicators.

Response by Australian Maritime Safety Authority

On 2 December 2024, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) advised the ATSB that, in the event the Liberian Administration (as the ship's flag Administration) considered that the identified safety issue warranted amendments to the SOLAS Convention, AMSA would consider any Liberian requests for support or to co-sponsor a paper seeking safety action at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to address this issue.

ATSB comment

The ATSB notes AMSA’s position that it will consider any requests for support from the Liberian Administration in progressing the safety issue and achieving safety action at the IMO. The safety issue was directed, both to AMSA and the Liberia Maritime Authority (LiMA), to best ensure safety action to address the safety issue. In addition, the ATSB will use its membership in the IMO’s Casualty Analysis Correspondence Group (CACG) that reports to the Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) to highlight the safety issue and seek like-minded support. In the interim, to support AMSA in providing the Liberian Administration with the necessary assistance, the ATSB issues the following safety recommendation.

Issue Status Justification

The ATSB will monitor progress of any safety action undertaken by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) in support of the Liberia Maritime Authority's efforts to address this safety issue. The ATSB will regularly reassess the status of the safety issue and will publish updates on its website including AMSA's response to the ATSB safety recommendation.

Recommendation
Action number
MO-2022-007-SR-35
Organisation
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
Action date
Action Status
Released
Action description

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau recommends that the Australian Maritime Safety Authority provides the necessary support and assistance to the Liberia Maritime Authority in its efforts to seek safety action at the International Maritime Organization aimed at addressing the risk associated with a single point of failure in electrical power supply for ship's rudder angle indicators.