Post by ferryfast admin on Mar 31, 2006 23:59:29 GMT -5
Mistake, design flaws led to ferry crash
March 31, 2006
A MISTAKE by the master and design flaws were to blame for a Sydney Ferry crash that left a passenger injured, an investigation has found.
A NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) report into the crash of the ferry Narrabeen on May 26 last year was tabled in state Parliament today.
A passenger suffered facial injuries when he was hit by the forward flagpole, which broke when the ferry hit the wharf at Circular Quay.
The report found the accident occurred when the vessel's master suffered a loss of power after inadvertently switching to back-up mode instead of manoeuvring mode while preparing to berth.
"The master believed that Narrabeen's controls had malfunctioned, despite advice to the contrary from the engineer, and his ensuing actions to bring the vessel under control further exacerbated the situation," the report found.
"The design of the bridge control console contributed to, rather than protected against, the potential for incorrect switching."
Neither the master nor the helmsman activated an emergency communications system which would have alerted passengers to an imminent collision, the report found.
But the continuous sounding of the vessel's whistle did warn passengers and people on the wharf of an imminent collision, it said.
OTSI called for improvements in crew procedures and for better communications between masters and engineers, so the latter could take over in an emergency.
It also called for the installation of closed circuit cameras at the rear and front of ferries which can be monitored by engineers.
NSW Transport Minister John Watkins said he would discuss the recommendations with acting ferries chief Chris Oxenbould.
"Safety is our top priority," Mr Watkins said.
March 31, 2006
A MISTAKE by the master and design flaws were to blame for a Sydney Ferry crash that left a passenger injured, an investigation has found.
A NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) report into the crash of the ferry Narrabeen on May 26 last year was tabled in state Parliament today.
A passenger suffered facial injuries when he was hit by the forward flagpole, which broke when the ferry hit the wharf at Circular Quay.
The report found the accident occurred when the vessel's master suffered a loss of power after inadvertently switching to back-up mode instead of manoeuvring mode while preparing to berth.
"The master believed that Narrabeen's controls had malfunctioned, despite advice to the contrary from the engineer, and his ensuing actions to bring the vessel under control further exacerbated the situation," the report found.
"The design of the bridge control console contributed to, rather than protected against, the potential for incorrect switching."
Neither the master nor the helmsman activated an emergency communications system which would have alerted passengers to an imminent collision, the report found.
But the continuous sounding of the vessel's whistle did warn passengers and people on the wharf of an imminent collision, it said.
OTSI called for improvements in crew procedures and for better communications between masters and engineers, so the latter could take over in an emergency.
It also called for the installation of closed circuit cameras at the rear and front of ferries which can be monitored by engineers.
NSW Transport Minister John Watkins said he would discuss the recommendations with acting ferries chief Chris Oxenbould.
"Safety is our top priority," Mr Watkins said.