Consequences to vessels

In 2022, 4.9% (187) of incidents involved a vessel consequence. 63 of these incidents resulted in very serious or serious vessel consequences.

Figure 24 shows the most frequently occurring vessel consequences between 2020 to 2022.

In 2022 the most frequently occurring consequences included contact (17.1% (32)) and hull damage (9.6% (18)). Fire was the third most frequently reported vessel consequence incidents in 2022 accounting for 9.1% (17).

Incidents reporting total power failure decreased from 10.2% (21) in 2021 to 8.6% (16) in 2022. Similarly, incidents reporting vessels being disabled²⁰ also decreased from 16.0% (33) in 2021 to 7.0% (13) in 2022 (Figure 24).

Figure 24 Top 6 vessel consequences, FF and RAV (2020-2022)

In 2022, 24.1% (45) of vessel consequences were associated with failures in power, propulsion and/or steering with 32.3% (20) categorised as very serious and serious (Figure 25). This presents a serious concern with planned maintenance shortfalls continuing to be a focus of AMSA’s education and inspection compliance activities.

This is followed by operational shortcomings in the control or navigation of the vessel which were associated with 21.9% (41) of vessel consequences of which 25.8% (16) were categorised as very serious and serious. One very serious vessel consequence involved a vessel colliding with two tugs berthed alongside causing the loss of both tugs.²¹

Figure 25 Technical/Operational failures associated with vessel consequence incidents by severity, FF and RAV (2022)

Footnotes

^20. Vessel Disabled incidents reflect incidents where a vessel was unable to make way due to loss of propulsion machinery or because of a d total loss of vessel’s power. Total power failure incidents reflect occurrences where vessels experienced a blackout either for a short period of time before power or emergency power was restored, or for an extended period, however due to circumstances the vessel was not ‘disabled’ (e.g., was at anchor, alongside).

^21. ATSB Transport Safety Report Marine Occurrence Investigation (Defined) MO-2022-002. Final 22 March 2023. Collision involving the bulk carrier Goliath and tugs York Cove and Campbell Cove, Devonport, Tasmania on 28 January 2022