Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Navigator-Scorpio

A recent report published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) highlights serious lapses that led to the grounding of the liquefied gas carrier, Navigator Scorpio, in the North Sea. On January 3, 2014, the vessel, while navigating off the coast of Norfolk, ran aground on the Haisborough Sand after the officer on watch lost situational awareness due to distractions. Investigators found that the bridge watchkeeper deviated from critical lookout duties, becoming engrossed in passage planning and chart corrections. This distraction resulted in the officer missing a vital course change, steering the ship into restricted waters. The MAIB's findings pointed out that navigational protocols were inadequately followed and that the ship's passage plan was incomplete, failing to account for the strong winds and tidal streams that were prevalent at the time. The report stressed that the vessel was operating under insufficient bridge manning, which complicated the situation further. Significantly, previous audits had identified deficiencies in the crew's navigation skills, yet the necessary corrective measures were not adequately implemented to avert this incident. As Navigator Scorpio, en route to Scotland, approached a potential hazard, corrective actions from the master fell short, ultimately leading to the grounding. Adding to the severity of the incident, false data was reportedly documented on the ship's charts post-grounding, indicating lapses in operational transparency and accountability. In light of these findings, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, the operator of Navigator Scorpio, has initiated comprehensive measures. These include conducting an internal investigation, disseminating findings to other vessels, and enhancing training programs for crew members to ensure heightened safety and navigational awareness in the future.