The preliminary findings of an investigation by Panama into the loss of a bulk carrier off Mauritius has confirmed that the vessel diverted because its crew was seeking internet connectivity and a mobile phone connection to contact families.
According to the flag-state report in to the grounding of the 203,000-dwt Wakashio (built 2007), birthday celebrations for a crew member were taking place at the time.
The findings of the report are critical because they almost certainly indicate financial liability for the accident will rest with the Wakashio's owner Japan’s Nagashiki Shipping and its insurers.
The Wakashio grounded on 25 July spilling 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and causing widespread pollution to Mauritius' beaches and coastline. The ship was registered in Panama, which has legal responsibility to investigate the accident.
Reporting on its initial findings, the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) said the ship’s captain “gave instructions to approach about five miles away from the coast of Mauritius, looking for a telephone and internet signal, so that the crew members could communicate with their families”.
The agency added: “The modification could be related to the celebration of the birthday of one of the crew members.”
The AMP pointed out that the ship’s master, the chief engineer and first officer were all on the bridge when the diversion took place.
It further added that the Mauritius authorities were “alerted” to the situation.
The AMP said that officers on the bridge were experienced enough to avoid letting the dangerous situation develop.
The report said the officer of the watch had “lost the course of the navigation” and that officers on the bridge had displayed an “excess of confidence”.
The AMP has requested access to the ship’s voyage data recorder which is currently being held buy the Mauritius police.
Investigators also said that the wrong Electronic Nautical Chart was being used at the the wrong scale, “which made it impossible to properly verify the approach to the coast and shallower waters, the researchers,” the report said.
However, some industry bodies are concerned that seafarers could be made into scapegoats for the accident. The International Transport Worker’s Federation (ITF) had earlier warned that all factors leading up to the disaster need to be taken into consideration in any analysis of the cause, not just the seafarers’ role.
ITF Seafarers’ Section chairman David Heindel said: “The anger for this tragedy is better directed at the factors which lead upto such incidents, rather than the people who happen to be in the hotseat at the time.”
Others have pointed out that it appears that the crew must have been deprived of contact with home due to a lack of onboard communication support. This comes at a time when some of the crew on the Wakashio were working beyond their contracted term of employment because of travel restrictions imposed to stop the spread of coronavirus.
