Post by ferryfast admin on Jan 19, 2006 11:21:48 GMT -5
First mate faulted in Ferry report
By Susan Gilmore
Seattle Times staff reporter
seattletimes.nwsource.com/
The near-collision of a state ferry and a container ship was primarily the fault of the ferry's first mate, according to a report released Wednesday by Washington State Ferries.
The report said the first mate, Pamela Jamison, was "multi-tasking" and at one point was eating while running the ferry.
"Jamison was also moving from the radar to the engine controls and going to the window to use the binoculars. It is likely that this multi-tasking led to Jamison being distracted and not taking substantial action to reduce the risk of collision."
The Dec. 20 incident, involving the ferry Wenatchee and Danish freighter Knud Mærsk, required both vessels to take evasive action and avoid a collision in Puget Sound.
The two ships came within one-third of a mile before the freighter turned and the ferry stopped and backed up.
"Jamison bears the responsibility for the actions on the side of the Wenatchee in allowing a close quarter situation to develop," the report said. "Jamison broke some cardinal rules of collision avoidance; once making passing arrangements, she failed to monitor the situation correctly and made successive small alternations of course and speed."
The 30-page report also said some blame should also rest with the pilot of the Knud Mærsk.
"What is apparent is that the Knud Mærsk bridge team allowed a close quarter's situation to develop and did not take positive action until the situation was in extremis."
Jamison, who remains on the job, has worked for the ferry system for 26 years. Ferry officials said no decision had been made about whether she will be disciplined.
Ferry officials blame the near-collision on communication errors and on Jamison not acting quickly enough to move away from the bigger boat. The Wenatchee is 460 feet long and weighs 3,000 tons, and the container-filled Knud Mærsk measures 1,044 feet and weighs between 50,000 and 70,000 tons.
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According to the report, the ferry had the right of way, but Jamison said she would reduce speed so the freighter could pass.
At one point the pilot of the freighter said, "I can see your red light," but Jamison thought he said he was turning right, the report said.
As the two boats came closer, Jamison did take proper evasive action, the report found.
"We had a deck officer who made some errors, but when things got confusing, she took appropriate action," said Pete Williams, ferry port captain.
He said Jamison agreed to pass at the back of the freighter and she reduced speed but not enough. "She made a small speed reduction. She should have made a big reduction."
Ferry officials said a state ferry can stop in 55 seconds. "The system worked," said Tracy Brewer, director of operations for the ferry system.
According to the report, Jamison made five course changes to avoid the freighter.
There were no injuries reported among the ferry's 1,074 passengers.
The report said Jamison was given a drug and alcohol test, and it came back negative.
Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com
By Susan Gilmore
Seattle Times staff reporter
seattletimes.nwsource.com/
The near-collision of a state ferry and a container ship was primarily the fault of the ferry's first mate, according to a report released Wednesday by Washington State Ferries.
The report said the first mate, Pamela Jamison, was "multi-tasking" and at one point was eating while running the ferry.
"Jamison was also moving from the radar to the engine controls and going to the window to use the binoculars. It is likely that this multi-tasking led to Jamison being distracted and not taking substantial action to reduce the risk of collision."
The Dec. 20 incident, involving the ferry Wenatchee and Danish freighter Knud Mærsk, required both vessels to take evasive action and avoid a collision in Puget Sound.
The two ships came within one-third of a mile before the freighter turned and the ferry stopped and backed up.
"Jamison bears the responsibility for the actions on the side of the Wenatchee in allowing a close quarter situation to develop," the report said. "Jamison broke some cardinal rules of collision avoidance; once making passing arrangements, she failed to monitor the situation correctly and made successive small alternations of course and speed."
The 30-page report also said some blame should also rest with the pilot of the Knud Mærsk.
"What is apparent is that the Knud Mærsk bridge team allowed a close quarter's situation to develop and did not take positive action until the situation was in extremis."
Jamison, who remains on the job, has worked for the ferry system for 26 years. Ferry officials said no decision had been made about whether she will be disciplined.
Ferry officials blame the near-collision on communication errors and on Jamison not acting quickly enough to move away from the bigger boat. The Wenatchee is 460 feet long and weighs 3,000 tons, and the container-filled Knud Mærsk measures 1,044 feet and weighs between 50,000 and 70,000 tons.
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According to the report, the ferry had the right of way, but Jamison said she would reduce speed so the freighter could pass.
At one point the pilot of the freighter said, "I can see your red light," but Jamison thought he said he was turning right, the report said.
As the two boats came closer, Jamison did take proper evasive action, the report found.
"We had a deck officer who made some errors, but when things got confusing, she took appropriate action," said Pete Williams, ferry port captain.
He said Jamison agreed to pass at the back of the freighter and she reduced speed but not enough. "She made a small speed reduction. She should have made a big reduction."
Ferry officials said a state ferry can stop in 55 seconds. "The system worked," said Tracy Brewer, director of operations for the ferry system.
According to the report, Jamison made five course changes to avoid the freighter.
There were no injuries reported among the ferry's 1,074 passengers.
The report said Jamison was given a drug and alcohol test, and it came back negative.
Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com