ATSB’s hands full with March incidents

THE Australian Transport Safety Bureau has logged three incidents warranting thorough investigation so far this month, one involving a serious injury.

The Bureau is collecting evidence about a bad fall in the engine room of TT Line’s Bass Strait ro-pax Spirit of Tasmania 1, while it was berthed at Corio Quay 1, Geelong, Victoria, on 6 March 2025. 

During engine maintenance operations, a crew member was traversing across the main engine rocker cover when they fell to the catwalk below resulting in serious injuries. 

The evidence collection phase of the investigation will involve interviewing witnesses and involved parties, examination and reviewing recorded CCTV, and the collection of other relevant information. 

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation, likely in 3Q 2025. Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate safety action can be taken, it said.

Two days earlier, on 4 March, the livestock carrier Al Messilah was manoeuvring to its assigned berth in Fremantle Inner Harbour, with a pilot onboard and assisted by two tugs. During a critical phase of pilotage in the harbour channel and past the abort point, Al Messilah experienced an engine malfunction. The tugs manoeuvred the vessel to its berth.

ATSB expects to report back in 3Q.

Finally, at 1100 local time on 15 March 2025, the Origin Energy-chartered, Liberian flag liquefied gas tanker Gaschem Homer was departing Brisbane for sea from the BP Products berth at Pinkenba under the conduct of a harbour pilot, with one tug assisting.

At 1105, while the ship was being swung to port towards the port’s entrance, it experienced an electrical blackout, resulting in the loss of propulsion from the main engine and bow thruster. The tug manoeuvred to keep the ship in position and by 1110, the crew had restored electrical power and brought the main engine back online. The pilotage then proceeded uneventfully. Again, a final report is expected in Q3 2025.

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