Red Funnel and Contessa Greylag MAIB report

[lw395]

Basically you've got a Master with only 9 days back in the job and a helmsman who can't steer to the compass which they have.
Steering to a digital compass is not hard, but you have to learn and practise.
Add this to the fact that these are quite big ships for a small river.

Then you've got the 'rule' that they don't operate in fog below 1 cable vis. This may be why they didn't have a serious approach to being good at operating in zero vis, for which they seemed to have all the gear, but no idea?

 

[Uricanejack]

I thought it's a lot simpler than that - standard civilian radar would not help at such close quarters, he was pushing his luck in such poor visibility - he and Greylag didn't get away with it...

I cant say for certain I couldn't read the manufacturers name on the Radar and it wasn't mentioned in the ships particulars although the ECS was identified as Transas.
The Radar looked like a full sise Sperry Bridge Master ARPA display.
The wash from the forward drive possibly plays havoc with the a Doppler log and sounder. ARPA can function from GPS very well for navigation and with a bit of an error for CA.

This type of civilian radar works very well and can if properly used provide excellent navigational information in close to zero visibility, So good they are often fitted on some military vessel bridges a dedicated navigational radars. Specifically Canadian and some US Destroyers. I don't know about RN.

The visibility as reported. Is I believe typically well within routine operational parameters for most ferry operators. It is certainly within the operational parameter of the ferries I routinely travel on. So I would disagree he was chancing his luck.
As an inhabitant of an Island where fog is a routine phenomena. I would be rather annoyed if it wasn't.

"Pilot Disorientation" Is well known in aviation, Particularly I believe with Helicopters.
As a simple PPL I was able to fly in VFR conditions only, for a well known reason. I have not been trained for instrument flying. I know how the instruments work, I have used the instruments in day light and good visibility.
Its well know the human brain is easily disorientated with out visual references. A instrument rated Pilot has to be trained to trust his instruments over what his brain or body feels.

I was impressed by this report giving an excellent description of how this particular pilot became disorientated. Its far from simple.
It is the first Marine accident report I have seen giving such a good explanation of this for this type of vessel.

I personally have experienced what I would describe as "Pilot Disorientation" while trying to operate a vessel, " hands on", in fog, in familiar water, on a vessel I was very familiar with. While trying to carry out blind pilotage at the same time.
I made what appears to be virtually the same error. Over correcting and turning the wrong way towards the nearby shore rather than the desired deeper water.
Fortunately for me I recognised the problem in time and was able to recover.
I was able to recover and give the wheel to some one else.
With some one else on the wheel I was able to "Con the Vessel" using the radar without becoming disorientated again.

Now, In fog I never steer.

Since then I have seen reports several incidents where I believe the person conning the vessel may have become disorientated. This is the first time I have seen it well described.

From a personal point of view, I feel for the unfortunate Master and Mate involved in this incident.
Poor Bridge lay out,
Lack of Training.
Poor Procedures.
Poor Response to previous incidents. ( They Suspended the guy, probably affected his confidence) (Punishment doesn't prevent accidents)

A unique complex set of circumstances or chain of events, led to the Master becoming disorientated. which resulted in an embarrassing grounding. Nobody was hurt.
With some training and a bit of practice they can learn from this and carry on.

If they get their confidence back.

By contrast I thought the "Dog's Bollocks Guy" was a complete arsehole, and a hazard to navigation.