A new report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has found that a distracted pilot and poor communication led to a collision between the container ship Maersk Shekou and the training ship Leeuwin II in Fremantle Harbour last year, injuring two crew members.
The investigation revealed that one of the harbour pilots failed to issue a crucial instruction as the 333-metre long vessel battled stormy weather with four tugboats. A secondary pilot, who was meant to monitor the ship's arrival, was distracted by a non-essential phone call.
The Maersk Shekou, laden with over 4,000 containers, struck the Leeuwin II at its berth, causing the wooden masts to collapse. Two crew members on the Leeuwin sustained minor injuries while fleeing via the gangway. The container ship's stern also hit the roof of the WA Maritime Museum, damaging the facade.
The report was critical of the actions of personnel involved, noting that the pilot failed to tell the helmsman to turn into the inner harbour, and the secondary pilot did not realise the course change due to the phone call. Weather conditions were more severe than forecast, with wind gusts up to 54 knots, but were not mentioned during discussions with harbour traffic services.
Investigators conducted four simulations under similar conditions, and in each case, pilots successfully guided the ship into port. The report highlighted ineffective risk controls by Fremantle Port, which likely increased safety incidents. Both the port and Fremantle Pilots have since committed to improving safety and weather monitoring protocols.
