Total lack of safety culture laid bare in Wakashio disaster
Damning Report Unveils Failures in Wakashio Disaster
Mauritius has released a long-awaited report on the 2020 grounding of the Wakashio, revealing severe lapses in safety protocols and oversight. The investigation highlights a “total lack of safety culture” aboard the vessel, attributing the disaster to negligence and distraction. The report, which had been suppressed for years, underscores the systemic failures that led to one of the worst ecological catastrophes in the region.
Critical Findings of the Investigation
The report details how the Wakashio, a Newcastlemax bulk carrier, veered dangerously off course while crew members sought a mobile signal. The chief officer’s distraction with his phone led to a critical failure to monitor the ship’s trajectory. Even after the captain returned to the bridge, no corrective measures were taken as the vessel approached the shoreline. Investigators condemned the ship’s safety management system, stating it was not effectively implemented and ignored by senior officers. They noted that the bridge team failed in their fundamental duty to maintain a proper lookout, which is essential for safe navigation.
Local authorities also faced scrutiny. The Mauritian Coast Guard, responsible for monitoring the nation’s waters, failed to detect the Wakashio‘s abnormal course. Their delayed and inadequate response to the environmental disaster, which resulted in nearly 1,000 tonnes of fuel spilling into sensitive ecosystems, has drawn significant criticism. The report concluded that the accident was entirely preventable, attributing it to human error and systemic failures at multiple levels.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The grounding of the Wakashio has prompted a series of investigations, including one from the Japan Transport Safety Board, which identified the crew’s decision to divert from their planned route as the primary cause of the incident. The captain’s judgment was further called into question due to his consumption of alcohol at a crew member’s birthday party shortly before the grounding. In July 2023, Panama’s final accident report echoed these findings, emphasizing the crew’s misguided attempt to seek a Wi-Fi signal near the coast.
It took 18 months to remove the wreckage of the Wakashio, which split in two near a UNESCO World Heritage site. While investigations have primarily focused on crew errors, the report sheds light on the failings of Mauritius’ coastal surveillance systems. Maritime journalist Stephen Spark noted that the country’s radar systems were poorly maintained, and the coastguard post near the grounding site was understaffed and inadequately equipped. This lack of preparedness contributed to the failure to alert the ship to its perilous situation.
