The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has detained the newbuild Panama-flagged bulk carrier, African Alke, in Brisbane.
Namely, during a port state control inspection at Pinkenba on Thursday, May 26 the bridge watchkeeping officers were unable to demonstrate the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to an appropriate standard, AMSA spokesperson told World Maritime News.
“The vessel was detained because the safety management system had not identified a failure in the lack of on board familiarisation training in the use of ECDIS. There is no suggestion the ship was drifting off course, ” AMSA said.
The ship’s operators have flown an ECDIS trainer in from Singapore to train the crew.
The handy ship is operated by Fairview Panama and owned by Japan’s Doun Kisen.
AMSA said that it would release the ship from detention once it is satisfied the crew have been trained to an appropriate standard and can demonstrate the expected level of competency.
The vessel, which had sailed from Mackay to Brisbane, is now berthed at Fisherman’s Island.