FOLLOWUP: As M/V Cathlamet returns to service, 8 months after Fauntleroy collision, WSF reveals its investigation findings

| Fauntleroy | Safety | West Seattle news

(Photo by Mark Dale, July 28, 2022)

11:27 AM: The state ferry damaged when it hit a structure known as a “dolphin” at the Fauntleroy dock last July (WSB coverage here) is about to return to service. Washington State Ferries\ spokesperson Ian Sterling tells us, “Cathlamet is undergoing sea trials today and tomorrow. If all goes well, it will return to service this weekend for a short stint filling in on the Edmonds/Kingston route. Then it’s expected to move to the Triangle in about a week.” This news comes as WSF says its own investigation into the collision is complete, and that it lays blame for the collision on “human error and a failure to follow existing procedures.” But the federal investigation into the Cathlamet incident is not yet over. From today’s WSF announcement:

… In the case of the Cathlamet, where the vessel struck offshore pilings on July 28, 2022, causing an estimated $7.7 million in damage to both the ferry and the piling structure, WSF immediately initiated an internal investigation to determine cause and to ensure something similar does not happen again. That investigation is now complete. Separate United States Coast Guard and NTSB investigations into the incident are ongoing. The USCG is the lead agency in the overall investigation and has not yet provided a timeline or date their findings would be released.

The WSF internal investigation found that human error and a failure to follow existing procedures led to the incident. That investigation and recommendations are here.

An experienced captain was at the controls of the Cathlamet as it made its way to Fauntleroy on the morning of July 28 when the vessel, off course at approximately 17 mph, struck the pilings.

The captain resigned the following day and has not provided an explanation as to what happened. Ultimately the captain is responsible for the safe operation of the vessel while in command. A contributing factor was existing landing procedures were not followed by the captain ensuring a witness is present on the bridge and that the witness is engaged and aware of their duties. The quartermaster was present in the wheelhouse but was engaged with reading work-related materials when the incident occurred.

WSF operations sent a safety notice reinforcing landing procedures immediately following the event. As a result of the internal investigation additional policies and training are under development and ‘black box’ data recorders have been installed aboard the Cathlamet. These recorders will now become standard equipment on WSF vessels with installation occurring fleet-wide over the coming months. WSF will also enhance and improve upon Bridge Resource Management (BRM) standards and practices, continue growth and development of operational route focus groups, and consider the implementation of psychometric wellness checks with WSF captains, like current cruise ship practices.

WSF remains in constant contact with federal investigators and further changes may be implemented upon Coast Guard recommendations.

We’ll be reading the WSF investigation report and will update this report with notes of interest.

4:09 PM: The report redacts all names, so in some spots the narrative of what happened before/during/after the incident is a little hard to follow. It notes that another captain from a different shift was on board and took control after the ferry hit the dolphin – which led to a “brief” grounding – and backed the boat away to bring it in to the dock. The report confirms only one injury – minor – and one vehicle damaged. It also says everyone tested negative for drugs/alcohol, and that no mechanical issues were found. The captain – who resigned and retired the next day – had been with WSF since 1985, as a captain since 1995, and had a disciplinary action in 2018 for a “dependability concern” that was followed by a three-day suspension in 2021. After the incident, he refused to answer questions, saying that was “on the advice of my attorney.” Regarding changes prompted by the incident, WSF says that a type of training in “standards for vessel-bridge watchkeeping” had been eliminated some years back to save money, but will be reinstated starting this year. The report also notes that WSF vessels should have Voyage Data Recorders that they currently do not have.

WSFWTF? March 30, 2023 (11:37 am)

So it takes nearly an entire year to release the investigation where the answer is literally, “nobody knows what happened”. How is this acceptable for all parties involved? I mean, at a minimum, there should be an insurance report, right? I can’t imagine $7.7 paid out of a rainy day fund for damage like that.

Marina March 30, 2023 (12:30 pm)

It seems like they ruled out mechanical error and drugs. The only thing that remains in this case is loss of situational awareness. It’s shocking to me that there were only two people on the bridge during docking, one of which (a lookout) was reading a report instead of looking out. I used to dock 1600-ton mine clearance vessels, and we never had less than 6 people on the bridge. If I had to blame someone, it would be WSF policy and the captain, who neither enforced bridge staffing nor maintained situational awareness at what is arguably the most dangerous part of the job. Unfortunately, he lawyered up so we won’t be getting answers from him anytime soon.
my two cents March 30, 2023 (1:32 pm)

@WSFWTF – 9 months doesn’t seem unreasonable to me based on the timing of the year (factor in holiday season), coordination of the parties/resources involved in determine the cause (technical, data reporting, interviews).
james E adams March 31, 2023 (12:57 pm)

Can’t believe it took so long to repair that damage ,

Question Authority March 30, 2023 (11:53 am)

Let’s be honest with ourselves here, we’ve all had days where we had loss of situational awareness.

Sam March 30, 2023 (12:03 pm)

Human error. Gee, ya don’t say.

Robert March 30, 2023 (12:23 pm)

Human error and the captain resigned to following day. Makes sense. However, given the aging fleet we have in service, it could well have been attributed to mechanical failure. Having lived on Vashon we experienced many long delays and cancellations due to steering, propulsion issues, etc. Now as a WS resident, I smile each time I drive past the Fauntleroy terminal, glad I don’t have to deal with that mess anymore.

TM7302 March 30, 2023 (1:44 pm)

The report states no mechanical issues at the time of the allision. Additionally, the report states that the captain had previous oral, written and suspension for dependability concerns…

Jjj March 30, 2023 (1:02 pm)

I hope black boxes don’t make the job too intimidating to hire enough staff. No one likes being watched on the job. Human error happens from time to time. No one got hurt. The captain resigned. Maybe he took too long in the toilet, and his 2nd spaced out. Seems resolved. We don’t always need new engineering every time there is some human error. A black box won’t stop an error like what is likely to have occurred.

flimflam March 30, 2023 (1:16 pm)

Maybe it’s just me but the moment he immediately resigned it had “my fault” written all over it. Eight months seems like an extremely long time to figure this all out.

TM7302 March 30, 2023 (1:21 pm)

The captain resigns the day after the collision and has not made a statement. Sounds fishy to me. I hope the State or the Feds takes the captain to court and sues him at least for the costs of repairs for the Cathlamet.

CarDriver March 30, 2023 (3:43 pm)

TM7302;flimflam. What I’ve been told is that by immediately resigning it makes it more likely that he can retain his seaman’s papers and get hired on with some other company down the road.
Fred March 30, 2023 (5:16 pm)

You honestly think the captain should be on the hook for repairs? $7.7 million LOL! Thank god we live in a society where that won’t happen. Can you imagine if transportation workers were personally liable for accidents like this. Nobody would do those jobs. Planes wouldn’t have pilots, trains wouldn’t have engineers, etc.
- TM7302 March 31, 2023 (11:41 am)
  
  Can you imagine if law enforcement workers were personally liable for their actions. Nobody would do those jobs. Washington wouldn’t have state police, sheriffs or city police, etc.

Colonel Mustard's Wrench March 30, 2023 (2:32 pm)

All the changes that WSF have recommended are well and good – HOWEVER – until each ferry is outfitted with cameras that send images to TV monitors in the engine room, we will continue to have engine room crew “flying blind” as that engine room crew control the steering and propulsion, based on commands (or lack of commands) from the bridge.

This is where redundancy would be so useful.

When we look at this $7 + million dollar price tag, and the close call with possible injuries or death, the installation of cameras feeding images to the engine room looks cheap.

Devon March 31, 2023 (2:49 pm)

The Cathlamat is equipped with pilothouse controls for propulsion and steering. Very few vessels still use engine order telegraphs for propulsion control, and none use a system where the engineers control steering.

Rick March 30, 2023 (3:23 pm)

Ooohhh, it’s just money.

dmb March 30, 2023 (3:55 pm)

The SFD crew that arrived on scene told me privately that the captain fell asleep at the wheel – for what that’s worth. This sounds like a bit of a coverup by the WSF. It does not sound like they are applying their full leverage to compel some truth telling here – I presume they could do quite a lot to this captain from a legal and licensing standpoint if they were motivated to do so, including limiting his liability.

Bus March 30, 2023 (6:02 pm)

If the captain has retained an attorney, I would think WSF needs to be mindful of what they say about him, especially in public, as it could affect litigation. Less is more.
Hammer in Hand March 31, 2023 (6:51 am)

I am sorry. Your statement about someone telling you the Captain fell asleep This is hear say and is inadmissible in court innocent until Proven Guiltylooks like a Alfred Plea without going to cout

KP March 30, 2023 (5:16 pm)

It’s interesting they cited Just Culture language. Per this model, a failure to follow existing procedure is punishable as gross negligence.

Jort March 30, 2023 (10:34 pm)

I have no idea what version of Just Culture you’re referencing, but “failure to follow procedure” is most certainly not “punishable” as “gross negligence” in literally any Just Culture framework I’ve ever seen anywhere on this planet. Do you even know what Just Culture actually is?

JT March 30, 2023 (6:23 pm)

They have cameras everywhere in the ferry but none in the control deck/wheelhouse? This should be a requirement on all public transportation and tied only to the black box recorder for all accidents. Even on planes. Something is fishy between the quartermaster reading a manual right at docking approach and captain staying silent and showing zero accountability.