A Bahamas flag state investigation into the grounding of a luxury passengership on Panama's Coiba island in December last year has questioned the judgment of the vessel's master.
According to the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), the master of the 208-passenger Star Pride (built 1988) entertained six guests at the captain’s table between 19.30 and 22.30 on the evening before the grounding on 22 December. He then went with them to the Star Bar where he stayed until 01.00.
The master then took command of the vessel at 06.00 for the transit to Coiba island.
The BMA found the master had exercised “poor judgment” in staying in the bar so late when he knew he would be required on the bridge the following morning.
It was not until some 36 hours after the accident that the ship’s doctor was instructed by the master to conduct drug but not alcohol testing. Under the vessel’s safety and environmental management plan, personnel involved in an accident should be tested for both.
But the BMA falls short of claiming alcohol may have been a factor in the grounding, as there is no evidence as to how much the master drank.
“It cannot be determined the effect, if any, that this may have had on his capacity as master the following morning while on the bridge,” the report said.
Instead, the BMA blamed the failure of the crew “to properly plan and execute a voyage”. It said the master was “likely suffering a degree of fatigue at the time the vessel grounded”.
Windstar says the report is consistent with its investigations and it has taken corrective action. "The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is our number one priority," a spokeswoman said.
