ATSB Issues Report on Pasha Bulker Grounding

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued the report of its investigation of the grounding of the Pasha Bulker at on June 8, 2007. The investigation found that the master did not appropriately ballast the vessel and did not weigh anchor until it dragged in severe weather. The master had incorrectly assumed that authorities ashore would instruct ships to put out to sea when conditions were bad. After the ship got underway, the master made further inappropriate decisions due to task overloading, fatigue, and anxiety. The ship’s safety management system provided the master with insufficient guidance about safety putting to sea in adverse weather. The local authorities ashore were untimely in providing advice to the ships anchored offshore regarding the adverse weather and related conditions.