Inquest Findings From the Lost Fishing vessel 'Dianne' Queensland

The Inquest findings have been released from this tragedy. Having been involved in the search and rescue by providing crew and a vessel with the immediate family on-board; this one is very close to home; so the 9 findings are important information to objectively look at. But I wish to point out just two for now

1. That self-illuminating LED strip-lighting and Emergency Exit signs be encouraged to be installed in existing vessels within two years.
2. That regulatory authorities and industry investigate and proceed towards ensuring all vessels have in their SMS a copy of the original plans of the vessel, details of all modifications which had been carried out, and any stability test documentation, and that a duplicate copy of these documents be kept by the vessel owner in a secure place on land, and a copy also retained by regulatory authorities. Regulatory authorities may also consider making mandatory at the time of sale, a report on the stability test report for vessels then without a current stability test report (if the vessel was changed from its original configuration when launched).

The implementation of number one is simple enough and was a finding I wrote some years ago for an Australian Ship to improve their safety which they did with thanks.

However number two noted here will prove problematic as grandfathered vessels that exist as identified and known in the industry that they do not have such items as plans and any changes. The report specifically address this known issue;

Grandfathering of Vessels and Original construction plans

[66]. “Grandfathering’ is a term used for something previously compliant with laws now being non-compliant with updated laws, but it is still allowed to operate, essentially under the old laws then applicable to it.

[67]. I have not received sufficient information to make any final determination on which direction authorities should go in terms of the grandfathering of vessels as I remain very conscious that vessels have a long period of use. Perhaps the best way forward is for the vessels without original surveyed construction plans to undergo a stability test, or at least an assessment by an appropriate naval architecture or marine surveyor at the time of any sale of that vessel. At the very minimum I would hope that each vessel have its’ own plans and configurations when first launched so that the skipper and crew operating that vessel knows immediately what modifications have been made to it. That may be of assistance in how they use the vessel including conditions they feel comfortable operating in. As one naval architect commented on the Cassandra, as soon as he saw the original specifications for the vessel, he could see that its’ stability would very likely have been affected by the later twin boom modifications and this would have made them more cautious in their use of that vessel. 

Perhaps it is now time the regulator look Seriously at 'Grandfathered vessels' as this includes all vessels from fishing vessel's to passenger vessels and cargo vessel's.

In addition its time that independent auditing of Safety Management Systems [SMS]becomes part of the regulations. This is required for SOLAS ships under IMO yet not for DCV's, Yet they all work on the same body of water with similar risks. Of interest is a plane with 400 passengers has an approved SMS yet a ferry with the same passenger count does not.

I won't comment on the fishing VMS as that issue has been ongoing and never stood up to the test, but the tracking in a Vessel traffic Service area is not noted and a missed opportunity in my view.

As noted in the report;

[57]. It was clear in the inquest that there are a number of reasonable, practical, and inexpensive safety measures which can be implemented to reduce the likelihood of this incident occurring again, or at least ensuring a better chance of survival for these fishermen and divers who work at sea.

This tragedy doesn't have to be repeated. Its time to fix what is common knowledge in the industry and stop the deaths at sea.

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