ATSB releases interim report into container ship collision with Leeuwin tall ship in Fremantle Harbour

An interim report into how a massive container ship struck the berthed tall ship STS Leeuwin in Fremantle Harbour has outlined the sequence of events leading up to the terrifying collision which two men were lucky to escape with their lives last August. The report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau revealed the 333m container ship Maersk Shekou had waited for a week off Fremantle — due to industrial action at the port and then unfavourable weather — before attempting to berth on August 30. STS Leeuwin was docked on the southern side of the harbour, near the WA Maritime Museum just after 6am when the 94,000-tonne Maersk Shekou slammed into it in driving rain and strong winds. It left the Leeuwin a mangled mess. The two men aboard leapt to safety and were later treated in hospital. A man in his 20s injured his arm while the other crewman, in his 60s, had a minor head injury. The Maersk Shekou also hit the roof of the WA Maritime Museum and damaged the port. Dramatic vision of the incident showed the bow of the massive container ship moving haphazardly through the inner harbour. While the interim report contained no findings or analysis of the accident, ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted the container ship had encountered wind gusts of to 50 knots from the south-west. As the Maersk Shekou entered the port, the vessel struggled to maintain its entry course. “In a further attempt to bring the vessel’s head to the ordered course, the pilot ordered full ahead on the main engine,” Mr Mitchell said. “This action combined with the tugs eventually brought the course from 087 degrees to 086 degrees, when the helmsman, without positive oversight of the pilot, then applied 30 degrees of opposite starboard helm to stop the turn and steady on the previously ordered course of 083 degrees. “Fifteen seconds later, the primary pilot realised they were in trouble with the Leeuwin now almost right ahead, and the ship’s heading was no longer continuing to turn to port as expected, and as required to navigate the bend.” So far, the ATSB has reviewed logs and records and interviewed the vessel’s master and crew, Fremantle pilots, tug skippers and port operational staff. Investigators will also examine pilot and crew actions, the ship’s safety management system, weather information and port and pilotage procedures for inbound vessels at Fremantle. Mr Mitchell said a final report, with safety analysis and findings, would be released at the conclusion of the investigation. “Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken,” he said.