Read Authentic Ratings for the Gaia-I

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has issued a pointed critique of the operators involved in a tragic crew transfer incident that led to the death of a chief mate off the coast of Brisbane. This unfortunate accident occurred on August 9, 2021, involving the vessel 'Formosabulk Clement', now known as 'Gaia I', which had set sail from Taiwan to Newcastle to load coal. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had left the crew in a difficult predicament, as 14 of the 25 seafarers aboard had exceeded the Maritime Labor Convention's maximum working period of 11 months due to limited crew change opportunities. Amid changing crew change regulations across Australia, Queensland emerged as the best option for replacing crew members. To facilitate this transfer, Formosa Plastics Marine Corporation (FPMC) collaborated with local shipping agents to arrange a crew exchange off Brisbane. On the day of the incident, the vessel anchored about six miles from Point Cartwright in the morning, preparing for the arrival of the transfer vessel, 'PT Transporter', operated by Pacific Tug. Due to rough weather conditions, the approach was bumpy, causing some incoming crew members to experience seasickness. Throughout the day, the 'Gaia I' had to adjust its heading to create a safer lee for the transfer operation, which involved 11 crew joining the ship and 15 departing. At 6:30 p.m., after a brief pause, the chief mate was set to leave the bulk carrier under the supervision of the launch crew. Communication issues arose when the launch skipper contacted the vessel's master to ask for a lee, leading to a misunderstanding about the operation's progression. Instead of waiting for the bulk carrier to reposition, the launch maneuvered closer to assess conditions, unaware that the departing chief mate was descending the pilot ladder at that moment. A sudden wave struck, causing the transfer launch to rise and trap the chief mate between the vessel and the hull of 'Gaia I'. Despite being quickly retrieved and resuscitated by the crew, he was declared dead shortly after arriving onshore. In light of this tragic event, the Australian Maritime Safety Administration forced the detention of 'Formosabulk Clement' for inadequate boarding protocols, with subsequent crew changes being facilitated via helicopter. After four days, the vessel resumed its voyage to Newcastle. The ATSB’s findings point to a significant failure of both the bulk carrier and launch operator to establish clear communication and operational protocols during crew transfers. Contrarily, the International Transport Workers' Federation raised concerns about the decisions made under pandemic-related quarantine constraints, suggesting that had crew changes been permitted in New South Wales, this risky transfer off Queensland may never have been necessary.

In a heartbreaking accident, a crew member on board the bulk carrier 'Formosabulk Clement' tragically lost his life on August 10, 2021. The incident occurred during his attempt to disembark onto a small boat intended for shore transfer. While descending the pilot ladder, the crew member fell and became trapped between the bulk carrier's hull and the small vessel. In response to the situation, the 'Formosabulk Clement' altered its course toward Queensland, specifically the Mooloolaba region, to facilitate a crew change. As of August 11, the ship was anchored off Brisbane and had been detained by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) for a thorough investigation into the incident.