GATINEAU, QC, Feb. 7, 2013 /CNW/ - The Transportation Safety Board of
Canada (TSB) today released its marine investigation report (M11L0160)
into the December 2011 grounding of the bulk carrier Orsula on the Battures de Gentilly, near Bécancour, Quebec.
On the morning of 15 December 2011, the Orsula departed Contrecœur, Quebec, for Baie-Comeau, Quebec. While proceeding
on the St. Lawrence River under the conduct of a pilot, the vessel lost
steering control and ran aground northeast of Bécancour wharf. It was
later refloated using tugs. The vessel sustained hull damage, which
required repairs. There were no injuries or pollution as a result of
this occurrence.
The TSB investigation found that a rudder malfunction was a major cause
of the grounding. During the course of the investigation, it was
determined that bridge crewmembers had not received adequate training
on emergency procedures in the event of a helm failure. The
investigation also found that the voyage data recorder (VDR) had not
been operating since May of that year. These findings give rise to two
Board concerns.
"The Board is voicing these concerns today with the expectation that
industry and regulators worldwide will take corrective action in the
name of safety," said Pierre Giroux, the TSB Marine
Investigator-in-Charge. "The concerns are about familiarity with
steering control modes and the availability of information from the
voyage data recorder," he added.
The Board is concerned that shortcomings in the familiarization and
training of crew members with regards to steering systems may result in
risks to life, property, and the environment. The Board is also
concerned that when VDR data, in particular bridge audio recordings,
are not available to an investigation, this may preclude the
identification and communication of safety deficiencies to advance
transportation safety.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline,
railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the
advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the
Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
SOURCE: Transportation Safety Board of Canada
