A maritime collision that caused $12.3 million in damages was the result of distracted bridge watch officers on both ships, according to a federal investigation.
The bulk carrier Bunun Queen and offshore supply vessel Thunder collided because the lone watch officer on one ship was using his personal cell phone and the other watch officer was multi-tasking, a report from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states.
Collision during daytime with good visibility, weather conditions
On July 23, 2022, the Bunun Queen was traveling eastbound in the Gulf of Mexico near Port Fourchon, Louisiana as the Thunder was traveling northbound when the vessels collided.
The Thunder sustained substantial damage to its port side, with the cost of repairs coming in at a whopping $11,598,078. The Bunun Queen sustained $680,000 in damages. No injuries or pollution were reported as a result of the incident.
This collision occurred during the day, with good visibility and fair-weather conditions, according to the NTSB. Radar and other plotting devices on both vessels were able to detect the other vessel.
Watch officers distracted with multi-tasking, cell phone use
However, on both ships, only one bridge watch officer was on watch to maintain a proper lookout. The officer on the Bunun Queen was printing out paperwork for a different job duty instead of maintaining the watch. Meanwhile, the officer on watch aboard the Thunder was making personal calls and texting on his cell phone.
The NTSB found both watch officers violated the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea which states that “every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate.”
NTSB investigators determined that the probable cause of the incident was both watch officers’ distraction due to performing non-navigational tasks.
NTSB: Distractions factor into many incidents
Personal use of cell phones and other wireless electronic devices by on-duty crewmembers in safety-critical positions has factored into collisions and other incidents across all modes of transportation, the NTSB report states.
That’s because using cell phones and other such devices has proven to be visually, manually and cognitively distracting.
“Nonoperational use of cell phones should never interfere with the primary task of a watchstander or a bridge team member to maintain a proper lookout,” according to the report. “It is important for personnel to follow established protocols regarding cell phone use.”
