On the night of October 29, 2015, at 2226 local time, the US-flagged cargo vessel Ocean Freedom collided with a tier of moored empty tank barges while entering the Port of Corpus Christi, Texas. One crewmember, who was working on one of the barges, received non-life threatening injuries. Although no environmental damage was reported, the Ocean Freedom and the three tank barges sustained structural damage estimated at $750,000.
The probable cause of the collision of the Ocean Freedom with the moored tank barges was the pilot's rudder order in a direction opposite of which he intended. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the bridge team to identify the risk of collision and take appropriate action.
Bridge Team Management
The presence of a pilot on board does not relieve bridge team members of their responsibilities for the safe navigation of the ship. The master and the officer of the watch must collaborate closely with the pilot to maintain an accurate check of the ship’s position and movement. In addition, they must not hesitate to challenge or, if necessary, take appropriate action to prevent a collision, a grounding, or an allision.
The pilot and the bridge team should share the same mental model for the passage and fully understand the planned tasks and maneuvers. Communications should be open and, where circumstances permit, involve discussion of the intended maneuver or any deviations from the plan.
