Vessel Runs Aground In Doubtful Sound After Master Falls Asleep At Helm

A New Zealand passenger vessel ran aground in Doubtful Sound after the master at the helm likely fell asleep, according to a report released by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).

The incident took place on 24 January 2024, when the Fiordland Navigator was on an overnight tourism trip departing from Deep Cove.

As the vessel was turning to exit Crooked Arm, a remote part of Doubtful Sound, it ran aground. Investigators found it was “virtually certain” that the master had fallen asleep during the maneuver.

At the time, the vessel had 57 passengers and 9 crew members on board. Several passengers and crew suffered minor injuries, and the vessel sustained moderate damage.

Emergency services responded swiftly, with all passengers evacuated back to Deep Cove and later transported to Te Anau, a town in New Zealand, the same evening.

The vessel was also returned to Deep Cove later that night.

The Commission found that the master was likely suffering from fatigue due to not getting enough rest. Although the operator had fatigue management guidelines in place, they were not followed properly.

The rest breaks provided to the crew were not enough and were poorly enforced.

Adding to the situation, the master had recently started taking medication that could cause drowsiness. While the investigators could not confirm whether the medicine directly caused the master to fall asleep, they noted it may have contributed to his condition.

At the time of the incident, the master held a valid Maritime New Zealand Certificate of Medical Fitness. However, the report pointed out that there was no process requiring certificate holders to report new medical risks like starting a new medication, during the certificate’s two year validity.

This gap meant that the master’s medication use, which could have impaired performance, went unnoticed in the system.

The Fiordland Navigator was being operated by a sole-charge master, meaning he was the only one in control of the vessel.

The risks involved with this type of operation, such as what could happen if the master became incapacitated, had not been clearly identified in the ship’s risk management plan.

As a result, no backup measures were in place for such a situation.

The report also revealed that the person in charge of implementing the vessel’s safety management system had too much work to manage alone.

This heavy workload affected their ability to properly oversee safety procedures, including fatigue management and risk control.

According to the Commission, a person’s fitness for duty should be seen as something ongoing, not just assessed once every two years.

Any new medications should be checked for side effects that could impair performance, especially for those in critical roles like shipmasters.

The findings also highlighted that sole-charge operations carry real risks, and vessel operators need to plan for possible incapacitation scenarios.

Lastly, the report made it clear that to keep safety systems running effectively, enough staff and resources must be in place. Without them, important procedures like fatigue management and risk assessment can fail, putting lives at risk.

Reference: TAIC