Interim Report Reveals Conflicting Actions Led to Boxship Allision at Fremantle

An interim factfinding report on the incident involving the boxship Maersk Shekou at Fremantle last year sheds light on the conflicting actions of the vessel’s helmsman and pilots, ultimately resulting in a damaging allision with a historic tall ship and a museum.

On the early hours of August 22, 2024, Maersk Shekou entered Fremantle’s harbor and took aboard two pilots. The primary pilot was fatigued, so the backup pilot took charge during the master/pilot exchange.

As the vessel entered the narrow entrance channel for the inner harbor, strong winds caused it to swing to starboard. The pilot ordered a heading of 083 degrees, which the helmsman acknowledged. However, the helmsman was also trying to counteract the wind by steering to port, resulting in a deviation from the ordered heading.

Efforts to correct the course led to confusion and miscommunication among the bridge team. Emergency maneuvers, including full ahead thrust, assist tugs, bow thrusters, and dropping the anchor, were initiated without proper coordination with the helmsman, who was steadfastly maintaining the heading of 083 degrees.

Despite attempts to turn the vessel to port, the helmsman’s actions to counteract these efforts led to a slow but unavoidable collision with the tall ship STS Leeuwin II. The impact caused damage to both vessels and the surrounding structures.

The investigation by the ATSB is ongoing, with a full report and formal conclusions expected upon completion of the review.

Key Events Leading to the Allision:

1. Maersk Shekou enters Fremantle harbor with two pilots on board.

2. Strong winds cause the vessel to swing to starboard.

3. Conflicting actions between helmsman and pilots lead to deviation from the ordered heading.

4. Emergency maneuvers to correct the course result in miscommunication and confusion.

5. Collision with STS Leeuwin II occurs despite efforts to avert it.

Conclusion:

The incident involving Maersk Shekou highlights the importance of effective communication and coordination among the bridge team during challenging navigation conditions. Clear understanding of roles and responsibilities is crucial to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of the vessel, crew, and surrounding environment.