During the period 1985 to 2000, there were 11 collisions and 20 groundings within the inner route of the GBR, which represents over two incidents each year. This is a relatively small rate of incidents given that over 2,500 ship movements occur in the northern section of the inner route annually, but still considerably higher than anywhere else on the Australian coast. None of the incidents in the past 15 years has resulted in significant oil spill pollution, loss of life or structural damage to the ship. Most incidents are caused by human error. Many incidents, particularly collisions between a trading ship and a fishing vessel, are caused by failure to keep a proper lookout. Six of the eight groundings in the Inner Route and Torres Strait between 1995 and 2000 occurred with a coastal pilot on board.

Collisions between commercial ships and fishing boats are the second largest contributor to incidents in the GBR region. To alert mariners to take greater precautions when transiting areas of significant fishing activity, these areas should be marked on electronic charts. The Review also supports an education campaign for fishing vessel operators for the need to maintain a proper lookout.  (aim to include VMS into VTS is one attempt to improve this others are inclusion of high density fishing areas on electronic mapping and VTS offering warnings when ships prepare to enter these areas.)with

 

 

 

 

 http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/Major_Oil_Spills_in_Australia/

 

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Citation and/or URL

Compiled from:

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Environment_Protection/Major_Oil_Spills_in_Australia/

http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/safety-investigation-reports.aspx?mode=Marine

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/info_services/publications/sotr/latest_updates/shipping/issues_pressures_and_threats

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Spatial Coverage

GBR-wide 

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Temporal Coverage

1985 to present

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Update Frequency

Continuous

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Other Information

None