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Transportation Safety Board of Canada / Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Marine Transportation Safety Information Letter 02/22

July 06, 2022

Director General
Marine Safety and Security
Transport Canada

Subject :

Marine Transportation Safety Information Letter No. 02/22 (M22C0015)
Continuous exchange of information between Pilots and Masters

On 22 January 2022, the bulk carrier Federal Crimson was being escorted through ice by the CCGS Pierre Radisson when the 2 vessels collided off Québec, QC. Damage to both vessels was reported. In accordance with the TSB Policy on Occurrence Classification, the circumstances of this collision were assessed, and it was classified as a class 5 occurrence. Consequently, TSB activity was limited to the collection of data, which has been recorded for safety analysis, statistical reporting, and archival purposes. The following paragraphs contain safety-related information derived during the assessment of this occurrence.

During the transit, the pilots provided helm and engine orders which were understood and acknowledged by the Federal Crimson’s bridge crew. It was also noted that the 2 pilots on the Federal Crimson, the master on the CCGS Pierre Radisson, and Marine Communication Traffic Services (MCTS) Quebec were communicating in French over Very High Frequency (VHF) radiotelephone and that the information was not passed on routinely or requested by other bridge team members of the Federal Crimson. Consequently, it was observed that there was an absence of effective exchange of navigation and operational information during the transit, which created a lack of mutual understanding on the Federal Crimson’s bridge.

The TSB’s 1995 Safety Study on the Operational Relationship Between Ship Masters/Watchkeeping Officers and Marine Pilots found that a lack of teamwork and communication on the bridge of a vessel poses a risk to safe navigation. In particular, the lack of a continuous and effective exchange of navigation and operational information during vessel operations creates a risk of diminished situational awareness and mutual understanding between the bridge team members. Progress has been made since the publication of the safety study. However, the continuous exchange of information between bridge team members still requires attention and its importance cannot be overstated.

As the identified safety issue associated with this occurrence has been brought to your attention, it is anticipated that an investigation report will not be issued. The TSB would appreciate being advised of any action taken by your organization in this regard and an investigator may follow up with you at a later date.

Yours sincerely,

Original signed by

Clifford Harvey

Director – Marine Investigations
Transportation Safety Board of Canada

Cc.