Paros Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has published a comprehensive report detailing the near grounding of the vessel 'Aquadiva' within Newcastle Harbour. The investigation revealed that the ship’s bridge crew had not been provided with the harbor pilot's passage plan prior to his boarding, resulting in a lack of synchronization between their respective navigation strategies. Although discussions occurred between the pilot and the ship’s master regarding the route and speed along the channel, they failed to align their passage plans. Notably, discrepancies between the number and locations of waypoints were not recognized and addressed. Furthermore, the interaction between the pilot and master lacked critical specifics regarding navigation maneuvers, including wheel over points, rates of turn, comfort zones, and cross track errors. Consequently, when the vessel entered a challenging section of the harbor channel known as The Horse Shoe, insufficient rudder was applied, and the crew could not discern this oversight, allowing the ship to veer dangerously towards the southern edge of the channel, straying beyond the navigational limits. Additional tug assistance was called in to redirect the Aquadiva back to its intended path for a safe exit to open waters. The ATSB's findings highlighted that uncertainties regarding the incident's details, particularly on whether the vessel made contact with the seabed, contributed to delays in notifying relevant authorities. This hindered the collection of crucial evidence, such as voyage data recordings. In response to the incident, the Port Authority has mandated enhancements in pilot training and established new procedures requiring the use of portable pilotage units on all piloted vessels. Additionally, the Port Authority is working on a project to facilitate the sharing of electronic passage plans. The operator of the Aquadiva has also taken action by providing focused training for the vessel's crew and conducting an internal review to ensure preventive and corrective measures are implemented and communicated throughout its fleet.

In a significant development within the maritime sector, a vessel has been chartered to Carras for a period of one year. The agreement features a competitive rate of $11,300 per day, reflecting the continued demand for maritime logistics and shipping services. This charter is expected to enhance operational efficiency and service capability for Carras, cementing its position in the industry.