Commodore Clipper grounding: Safety work to be addressed

Several weeks were needed in dry dock to repair the hull damage from the grounding and flooding

Work to improve safety for boat users in Guernsey waters will address some of the issues raised after a ferry was grounded, the ports authority has said.

The Commodore Clipper was out of service for a month following the incident on 14 July last year.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch made several recommendations following the grounding.

Guernsey Harbours said "ongoing work" would improve navigational safety.

The report found the crew had not properly considered the conditions on the day.

The Clipper spent several weeks in dry dock for extensive hull repairs.

MAIB investigation findings

• There was "insufficient passage planning for the voyage" and in particular for travel through the Little Russel

• The "extremely low tide and effect of squat were not properly considered"

• This resulted in the bridge team being unaware of the limits of safe water available

• Steering and propulsion responding normally, the absence of any alarm and the master's conviction there had been sufficient depth of water, led to a collective denial of the possibility that the vessel might have grounded

• The company's approved route for use through the Little Russel was not followed

• The vessel's electronic chart display and information system was not utilised effectively because key safety features were either disabled or ignored

• Guernsey Harbours did not have an effective safety management system for the conduct of pilotage within its statutory area

A spokesman from Guernsey Harbours said a safety management system for pilotage and navigation would be developed and based on the UK Port Marine Safety Code principles.

He said: "Resources have been recruited specifically to focus on developing and implementing these important systems.

"Guernsey Harbours takes its responsibility for safety at sea very seriously, and will always willingly co-operate with investigations of this nature."

The conventional ferry had been on its way from Portsmouth to Guernsey when the grounding occurred in the Little Russel, a channel between Herm and Guernsey.