A lack of effective communication contributed to a collision between the sail training ship Leeuwin II and a container ship in Fremantle Harbour last year that injured two crew members, a new report has found.<\/p>\n
The investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found one of the harbour pilots helping navigate the 333-metre long Maersk Shekou into the port failed to issue a crucial instruction as the giant vessel battled through rough seas and stormy weather, escorted by four tugboats.<\/p>\n
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A secondary pilot, who was meant to be monitoring the ship’s arrival, was distracted by taking a non-essential phone call.<\/p>\n
The container ship, which was laden with more than 4,000 shipping containers, struck the Leeuwin, which was berthed at the quay, causing the vessel’s wooden masts to collapse.<\/p>\n
The two crew members on the Leeuwin sustained minor injuries trying to flee the ship via the gangway as the collision occurred.<\/p>\n
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The Leeuwin was struck by a container ship. (Supplied: Roel Loopers\u00a0)<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Maersk Shekou’s stern struck the roof of the nearby WA Maritime Museum, damaging the facade.<\/p>\n
The report found crew on the container ship’s bridge “failed to adequately monitor, or challenge, the ship’s turn and position in the channel”.<\/p>\n
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The moment the ship comes into contact with the roof of the WA Maritime Museum. (Supplied: Fremantle Ports Authority)<\/p>\n
As it swung away, the hull of the Maersk Shekou scraped against the wharf, gouging a 1.8 metre long hole in its side and collecting concrete and timber debris from the damaged wharf along the way.<\/p>\n
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Scrape marks left on the ship from its contact with the Leeuwin. (Supplied: Maersk Shekou’s P&I representative)<\/p>\n
Secondary pilot ‘on phone’<\/p>\n
The report was scathing about the actions of many of the personnel involved in trying to get the ship into the harbour.<\/p>\n
Much of the report’s focus was on the operations of the pilots tasked with navigating the ship into the harbour.<\/p>\n