The 2020 grounding of a commercial vessel has once again brought attention to the dangers of watchkeeping failures.
Anyone tasked to keep watch must look out for risks and potential hazards to ensure the vessel does not ground or hit other boats or objects in the water. Watchkeeping is a crucial job for crews on vessels, and all vessels are legally required to keep watch at all times.
The skipper of the Sidina, Ralph James and the head of the fishing company’s operational planning, Nino D’Esposito, have been sentenced in the Napier District Court for their parts in the grounding of the vessel along the coast of the Chatham Island’s in December 2020.
Ralph James had fallen asleep and was woken by the impact of the grounding.
He was sentenced under S65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994 and fined $4,125.
D’Esposito was sentenced under S48 charge of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, for a breach of duty as an officer. At the time he was working as a consultant, leading the company’s operational planning. He was fined $11,900.
“Ensuring watchkeeping is adequately managed and staffed is a significant priority for Maritime NZ,” says John Drury from Maritime NZ.
“Every year, we see several incidents relating to vessels failing to properly keep-watch. These can result in collisions and groundings.
“The skipper needs to ensure proper watch is kept at all times and that the vessel is operated within the rules, including having the correct number of personnel working while at sea.”
Drury says depending on the collision or grounding, these incidents can put those on the vessel, in the water or in other boats at risk of serious injuries or death.
“There is also the potential for a vessel to cause environmental issues through a grounding or collision. A boat could spill oil or other potentially hazardous substances into the water.”
A crucial aspect of managing any commercial operation is ensuring adequate resources and procedures are in place to manage fatigue and crewing levels for the journey being undertaken. Management also needs to understand their operating procedures.
“As the person with oversight of the work, Mr D’Esposito did not correctly manage the personnel resourcing for the vessel, did not ensure there was oversight and management of the risks of fatigue, and left the crew vulnerable to an incident such as what occurred,” says Drury.
“Ensuring the correct people with the right skills and qualifications are on board vessels is hugely important when undertaking commercial operations such as what the Sidina was doing when it grounded.
“It is disappointing these obligations were not given the focus they required,” John Drury says.
After the vessel grounded, it had to be towed back to Napier for repairs.
Photography: Maritime NZ