ATSB Investigating Julia N Incident

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has launched an investigation into an incident that lead to a serious injury of a crew member on board Julia N at Port Headland, WA over the weekend.

Namely, on 28 June 2014, the Liberian registered bulk carrier Julia N was berthing in Port Hedland to load iron ore for export.

As part of berthing operations the pilot notified a tug master and the ship’s crew that the tug’s tow line was to be let go and that the tug was to stand-by.

During the retrieval of the tug’s tow line from the ship, a ship’s crew member’s leg was caught in the messenger line, attached to the main tow line, and he was seriously injured.

The ATSB said it was collecting evidence which will be analysed and a draft investigation report compiled.

“The draft report will be forwarded to relevant parties for comment prior to the completion and release of the final report,” according to the Bureau.