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Report into grounding of pilot boat published

On Feb 27, 2025, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued an investigation report into the grounding of the 'Corsair', retrieving the pilot from the outbound container m/v 'Rio Grande, on Point Lonsdale Reef after misinterpreting its course on the evening of Oct 5, 2023, after it had departed Port Phillip. The transfer of the pilot to the launch took place offshore, about 4.2 km south-west of Point Lonsdale. Port Phillip Sea Pilots (PPSP) was the pilotage service provider and operator of the pilot launch, which commenced its return to the entrance of Port Phillip at about 11.07 p.m., intending to return to the pilot station at Queenscliff, inside the bay. At about 11.10 p.m.,, about 2.3 km south-west of Point Lonsdale, the coxswain commenced a slow course alteration to port of about 18º. The 'Corsair' was about 760 metres from Point Lonsdale Reef when it steadied on a course towards the reef. The 'Corsair' was west of the location intended by the coxswain and subsequently ran aground on Point Lonsdale Reef at 11.13 p.m.., sailing at a speed of 24 knots. It was found that the coxswain of Corsair misinterpreted the leading lights marking the entry to Port Phillip and navigated to the west of their intended course through the entrance. The return to Port Phillip following offshore pilot transfer was a routine activity which had been performed by the coxswain on many occasions. On this night, their perception of navigational lights on Shortland Bluff was probably influenced by their expectations of what they would normally observe. The likelihood of human error can be reduced by using protective systems of technology, other crew resources, and procedure. In this instance, the coxswain’s navigation of the 'Corsair' back to the entrance was predominantly visual with limited reference to onboard equipment to confirm the vessel’s approach. The other crew member, a deckhand, was also not actively involved with the vessel’s navigation. A vessel’s safety management system provides the structures and guidance to support a consistent approach to vessel operations. It was found that the pilot launch safety management system and procedures could be improved with guidance to the launch crew on operational practices for navigation through the entrance to Port Phillip and the effective use of the launch’s equipment and deckhand. It was also found that training material for launch coxswains contained limited detail on course content and assessment criteria, and training records were incomplete. There was also no refresher crew training in navigational practices. Although not considered to have influenced this occurrence, additional findings were made on the potential for review by Safe Transport Victoria of the local knowledge certification requirements for masters of domestic commercial vessels operating in Port Phillip Heads. Full report: https://safety4sea.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ATSB-Grounding-of-pilot-launch-PV-Corsair-2025_02.pdf

Preliminary report into grounding published

The Office of the Chief Investigator of Transport Safety, has released a preliminary report into the grounding of the 'Corsair' on Oct 5, 2023. The preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau detailed that the pilot vessel was returning after collecting a pilot from the container m/v 'Rio Grande', when, just after 11 p.m. it entered the shallow water surrounding Point Lonsdale Reef and then ran aground. Victoria Water Police were called in to rescue the 'Corsair'’s captain, deckhand, and the pilot they had collected. The report details that several calls were made from the 'Corsair' seeking assistance, the first by mobile phone to the crew of the sister launch, the 'Nepean'. A Mayday distress broadcast was subsequently transmitted from Corsair on VHF radio. The distress call was heard by Ports Victoria Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) which contacted the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad. The Victoria Police then activated the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard at Queenscliff, the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad at Blairgowrie, and its own rescue response team. Several vessels responded to the emergency and the three occupants of Corsair were subsequently brought aboard the Coast Guard vessel. The boat was destroyed on the reef overnight, and the debris was recovered the next day. The investigation was ongoing and will consider the operation of Corsair, including bridge resource management, and will further examine relevant safety management systems and vessel data recordings. A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. Relevant parties will be notified immediately, should the investigation identify a critical safety issue before the final report is complete.”