Bridge Mismanagment Cited in Collision

The Canadian Transportation Safety Board (TSB) issued its report of the investigation into the collision between the bulk carrier CANADIAN PROSPECTOR and the heavy lift ship STELLANOVA in the St. Lawrence Seaway on 12 October 2002. As the two ships approached each other in the narrow seaway, the STELLANOVA began to experience bank effect. In an attempt to avoid being sucked into the bank, the pitch of the controllable pitch propeller was first decreased and then increased. The result was that the ship lost maneuverability and swung into the passing CANADIAN PROSPECTOR. The TSB determined that the primary cause of the collision was the failure of the pilot and master of the STELLANOVA to exercise proper bridge resource management principles. Report Number M02C0064 (HK Law).