The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has confirmed the successful prosecution of a master and AAL Dampier Navigation in Western Australia’s Perth Magistrates Court in a case involving marine pilot safety.
A marine pilot fell approximately 7 m onto the deck of the pilot vessel and was injured when the pilot ladder ropes parted while disembarking the Cyprus-flagged multipurpose (MPP) ship AAL Dampier in the Port of Fremantle last August.
The pilot vessel urgently transported the pilot to the hospital for treatment for serious injuries. An investigation into the ladder ropes found them to be “seriously defective and in a poor state. “The shocking condition of the ropes was likely due to inappropriate storage and ineffective inspection maintenance procedures,” AMSA said.
AAL Dampier Navigation pleaded guilty to failing to ensure pilot transfer arrangements in place were in accordance with the relevant regulations and was fined $30,500. The master of the vessel pled guilty to failing to ensure the disembarkation of a pilot was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulations and for taking an unseaworthy vessel to sea and was fined a total of $5,500.
AMSA executive director of operations Michael Drake said he was pleased with the result and hoped a conviction would deter other vessels from compromising on marine pilot safety. “Marine pilots have a critical and high-risk job, even in the best of conditions, and it is imperative that vessels meet safety standards to prevent serious injury,” he said.
