The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has published guidance on the proper design, arrangement, and operation of vessel maneuvering control systems after the USCG alert on a high-speed passenger ferry struck a pier in New York while docking.
Numerous passengers sustained minor injuries in the incident, and the combined repairs to the vessel and pier exceeded $500,000. The USCG investigation revealed numerous safety issues such as concerns with the vessel’s control system configuration and more.
The ferry was equipped with three identical navigation bridge control stations—center, port, and starboard—each capable of controlling both the port and starboard propulsion systems (see Figure 1). On the day of the accident, the vessel’s captain attempted a standard docking maneuver, transferring control from the center console to a bridgewing station for better visibility. However, the propulsion control transfer failed, and efforts to slow the vessel from a forward speed of 12 knots were insufficient, leading to the allision.
A review revealed problematic control panel designs:
• Uniform pushbuttons. All pushbuttons were the same color and size, with identical LEDs, despite varying importance. This uniformity can confuse operators, especially under stressful conditions.
• Technological complexity. Advanced technology introduced complexities unfamiliar to many mariners. The vessel had identical control panels in three locations and three different propulsion modes, necessitating extensive crew training to understand all functions in normal and emergency situations.
The Coast Guard’s CG-CVC Policy Letter 17-07 provides important guidelines for the inspection and oversight of vessel control systems, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing and verification to prevent control transfer failures. Additionally, the Marine Safety Center (MSC) provides essential program guidelines such as MSC PRG E2-05 and MSC PRG E2-17, which outline specific expectations for the evaluation and approval of vessel automation and control systems.
Download the PDF: USCG-SafetyAlert-0325
