Master of Explorer blamed for Antarctic sinking

A Liberian report into the sinking of the small expedition cruise ship Explorer in the Antarctic in November 2007 has concluded that the primary cause of the accident was a misunderstanding by the Master over the nature of the ice in the area. An investigation by the Liberian Registry, in conjunction with the Chilean Navy, concluded that the Master entered the ice field under the mistaken impression that he was encountering ‘first year’ ice when in fact it was much harder land ice. 

The Liberian report said that the Master of Explorer had considerable experience of Baltic waters but that he was ‘unfamiliar’ with the type of ice he had encountered in Antarctic waters. ‘The Master should have altered course to open water and not have entered the ice field during darkness,’ the Liberian Register said. It further stated that once the ship entered the ice field, there was ‘no indication’ that the Master reduced speed as he approached, and made contact, with the wall of ice. 

The Liberian Register is to undertake another review to ascertain whether IMO guidelines for vessels operating in the Arctic and Antarctic – and minimum safe manning, float-free and quick release voyage recorder data installation – should be made mandatory.

The report recommends that the vessel’s class society, DNV, revises minimum requirements for deck and shell plating for ice class vessels. The Liberian Register also advises DNV surveyors to ‘review flooding boundaries to determine if vessel systems and components such as sewage systems and down-flooding ducts can compromise the vessel’s watertight boundary in the event of damage or flooding.’

The Liberian administration has been advised to raise the issue of competency training for ice navigation at the IMO. Sphere: Related Content

Special Report on Hawaii Cruise

As a treat to Off Radar readers we bring you direct access to the details of a  special Hawaii Cruise Industry Study, that was conducted to assess the cumulative impacts and benefits of the cruise industry for all Islands comprising the Hawaii projected out to the year 2018. The study was specifically created for the State of Hawaii (including the 4 agencies led by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (Momi Akimseu) and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (Pearl Imada Iboshi). A team of consultants led by ICF International and supported by Harbour Mastery (Progress International partners) designed and conducted the study for the use of policymakers featuring professionally compiled information to facilitate future decision making. 

With 360 vision the study carried out over 275 interviews with cruise lines, port staff, service providers, tourism businesses, recreational harbor users, environmental groups, government agencies and others related workers over the course of a year from 11/2007 to 12/2008. 

In essence The study determined that the direct costs of cruise tourism statewide, including the impact on air quality, airports, state parks, ports and harbors and vehicle trips amounted to less than $3.3 million per year. In reality the cruise industry imposes other costs to the state, but because of data limitations the study team was not able to estimate dollar values for these costs. Such impacts were described in depth in other modules of the study however. In balance and contrast it was learned that the cruise industry provided for direct benefits to the Hawaii State amounting to $475.4 million on average per year. This benefit stems from the increase in economic activity generated by the cruise industry, as measured by GRP. 

To download the report go tockick the Hawaii Cruise Photo right.

Grant Holmes

Off Radar, Publisher

Sphere: Related Content