Safety watchdog investigates FMG Nicola’s sudden shutdown

An interim report into the FMG Nicola’s sudden engine failure has been released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), with the bureau now investigating why it was not made aware of the incident until five months later.

The bulk carrier, fully laden with iron ore, departed Port Hedland on February 7 when the ship’s engine suddenly shut down about an hour into the voyage.

A full report did not reach the ATSB at the time of occurrence and the watchdog only became aware of the potential seriousness of the incident after media reporting five months later.

On the morning after the incident, the ship’s local agent submitted the appropriate incident reports, including to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s local office in Port Hedland, according to the interim report.

“The notifications submitted by FMG Nicola’s master via the agent regarding the loss of propulsion incident did not, at that time, reach the ATSB,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“The features of the Port Hedland channel make the risks associated with channel blockage high.

“A disabled ship can strand on a receding tide as well as blocking the passage of other ships. Depending on departure times, separation between ships and the location of an incident up to 3 additional ships could be committed to, or within, the channel and exposed to this hazard at a given time.”

The investigation will look further into the reporting of the incident to authorities.

Mr Mitchell noted that the investigation is ongoing.

“As it progresses, the ATSB investigation will include examination and analysis of the collected evidence, including the event sequence, corroborating data, ship track and position, and the response to the incident,” he said.

The final report, to be released at the conclusion of the investigation, will detail the ATSB’s analysis and findings.