17 LMM V I S I O N ISSUE 18 | Q3 2024 SEAFARERS’ INTERVIEW Share a time that you have identified a distraction resulting in a Near Miss or unsafe condition. DO: During Singapore transit, density of traffic was expected. The AIS target tracking filter on ECDIS found set to 10 NM range. The ECDIS alarm for excessive AIS target triggered at a very frequent interval and same alarm transferred to BNWAS system that needed to be acknowledged as well. This excessive visual and audible alarms on bridge during the transit of any busy and congested areas put a huge form of distraction to the officers of the watch and to the entire bridge team which can lead to unsafe conditions. This was rectified by reducing the AIS target tracking system set to 6 NM range in order to limit and reduce the number of tracked AIS targets that could possibly trigger the Alarm limit of the ECDIS. KG: Humans have the tendency to make mistakes, and various factors can lead to a distraction, even to the most experienced mariners. Initially the Passage Plan was discussed, and even the approach and pass through the busy Gibraltar Strait, (East Bound) was thoroughly discussed as well, among the Bridge team. It’s worth mentioning that the story teller, have passed through this strait numerous of times. Manual steering was engaged, long before entering the busy strait, and additional officer and a young cadet was on Bridge at that time. My experience is such that I am aware of the surrounding ports around the Gibraltar strait. Engine was placed in stand-by manned, in a distance of more than 60 nautical miles before the Gibraltar strait. Master had the Command when Officer reported the vessel’s required report to Tangier Traffic. It was a fine sunny day, with a strong easterly breeze noted, and the visibility was more than 17 nm. Two VHFs on the Bridge and a “PAN PAN” dominated the Bridge team, from Gibraltar port Control, and a “MAN OVER BOARD” from a vessel near the Gibraltar Bay, in Channel 16. Bridge was placed in a state of emergency, and stepped on our toes, seeing Search and Rescue ships, concentrated, right at the entrance of the Strait. Slow vessels were overtaken safely, since there was no concerned traffic to the East Bound lane. However, at Officer’s VHF, a Container reported leaving Tangiers Port, and Master asked the Officer to verify the distance of the outbound Container. The Bridge team focused though, to the Search and Rescue. Master lifted his head and watched the Container in a very close distance, of about 1,3 miles crossing the own vessel bow, and the CPA note to be not more than 0,3 Bow crossing. Bridge team got by surprise from the event, and Master called the overtaken vessel to give some space by altering her course to SBRD in order to give way to the crossing high speed Container. Finally, the Container passed own vessel’s bow in a distance of 1 nautical Mile. Master’s and Bridge team actions were discussed thoroughly after the Incident. GA: Making a joke to your crewmate while he’s working is not a good practice, it can distract his attention and can lead to Near Miss or unsafe condition. CM: There comes a time when vessel is maneuvering and approaching to port when suddenly a call from Charterers or other third parties involved for the operation insisting to address their situations without taking into consideration the vessel’s safety. Commercial pressure contributes on creating distractions for vessels safety. PF: During my presence on the bridge, I identified a potential distraction that could have led to a Near Miss. A bridge team member was frequently using the PC in the chartroom which disrupted his focus from the Navigational watch. This behavior could have resulted in not seeing other vessels in the vicinity leading to incident which could compromise the safety of the vessel. By addressing the issue and encourage the Bridge team member to minimize distractions, he was able to maintain focus in his Navigational watch. DV: Once, while performing maintenance, I was distracted by a conversation nearby and skipped a crucial step. I caught myself just in time and realized how important it is to remain fully focused, especially on some difficult jobs. I have made sure to inform others around me when I am do-
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