[Peetwo]

OTSI a smaller paler version of the ATSB?? - 

Have been monitoring the OTSI Ferry Safety investigation page in anticipation of there being either an extension to the "..Safety and assurance systems for defect management (critical steering controls) in the Emerald Class Generation II Fleet.." investigation; or opened a whole new investigation into the MV Clontarf's catastrophic engine failure and the obvious systemic safety deficiencies inside of the Transdev SMS, as clearly highlighted in the Cowper FB post:

Chris Cowper

Transdev, “Clontarf” & our 3rd World Manly Ferry service.

After talking to several of my former Crew Mates over the last couple of days, I am absolutely horrified to learn of the condition of safety equipment on board “Clontarf”.

Yesterday morning I wrongly wrote “Most blades on the Engine Room ventilation fans were destroyed by flying debris.”

This was incorrect.

Transdev’s Chinese built Gen II Emeralds have 3 ventilation fans in each engine room.

After the port engine detonated, as a precaution, the Engineer on board “Clontarf” attempted to manually close the port engine room vent flaps.

These flaps are designed to starve an engine room fire of oxygen.

Each flap is fastened to the vessel by 2 hinges.

On board “Clontarf” one flap operated as designed.

The second flap also operated as designed, although it had 1 broken hinge.

The 3rd flap had 2 broken hinges and fell into the forward engine room fan.

The large aluminium flap dropping into the fan sheared fan’s blades off.

What this meant, was, if there had been an engine room fire, the Engineer would not have been able to seal the engine room.

He wouldn’t have been able to starve the fire of oxygen.

His fire suppression system would not have been effective.

The port engine fuel filter had been pierced by hot metal, blown out from the disintegrating engine, and was pouring fuel into the bilge.

In January, a “Clontarf” Engineer had reported this faulty Fire Flap to Transdev’s Maintenance department.

I’ve been told Transdev, and the builder (Birdons?) have been arguing over who pays for repairs and modifications to the Gen II fire flap hinges.

Transdev’s Management don’t understand, or don’t want to understand, what could have happened.
If “Clontarf” had been crossing the heads with 400 passengers on board and her port engine had exploded, and caught fire.

Her Engineer wouldn’t have been able to put out the fire.

Crossing the heads there isn’t anywhere for the Master to run her aground.

Passengers, and Crew would probably have died.

Transdev Management would have gone to prison.

At a minimum, the Master & Engineer would have lost their Tickets.

This is one of the most serious safety breaches I have ever seen.
AMSA and OTSI must get onto this!

At a minimum, all 3 Chinese built Gen II Emeralds should be taken off the run until an independent surveyor inspects all their Fire Flaps and other safety gear.

Item next, the Transdev bus fire: Transdev in the news again for all the wrong reasons

Yet a week later, there is no indication that OTSI are even contemplating investigating??  

Finally, 2 days ago, the tragic death of a 14 year old boy run over by a bus:

Same thing again IE OTSI (at this stage) not investigating? Ref: https://www.otsi.nsw.gov.au/bus/investigations 

Hmm...one has to ask, what the hell is the point of OTSI?

Perhaps the following provides the answer to why the Chief Investigator of OTSI is seemingly ignoring OTSI's legislated statutory obligations to investigate all serious incidents involving NSW Ferry, Bus and train commercial services? Because there is one incident that the OTSI Chief Investigator has agreed to investigate:

Collision and derailment between trains 1150 and T296

OTSI is undertaking this investigation under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 (Cth) on behalf of the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Information on the investigation is available on the ATSB website.

 

And from the ATSB website:

An investigation has commenced into the collision and derailment of two trains in Port Botany on 13 January 2023.

At approximately 0605, Pacific National train 1150 (crewed by Railtrain Services) and QUBE Logistics train T296 (crewed by Sydney Rail Services) collided and derailed during a propelling movement. Both trains derailed with the rear of train 1150 coming to rest against a nearby building. There were no injuries but there was significant damage to both trains and local rail infrastructure.

This investigation is being led by the NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI). OTSI conducts rail investigations in NSW on behalf of the ATSB under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

Following the incident, OTSI deployed two investigators to the derailment site and requested further information from the involved parties. After completing preliminary enquiries, it was considered by OTSI that a broader safety benefit may result from further investigation. In collaboration with the ATSB, it was decided the investigation would be completed under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003. As part of the investigation OTSI has begun collecting evidence from involved and other interested parties to determine the factors contributing to the accident.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation. However, should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, OTSI and the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties, so that appropriate and timely safety action can be taken.

"..being led by the NSW Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI). OTSI conducts rail investigations in NSW on behalf of the ATSB under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.."

"..After completing preliminary enquiries, it was considered by OTSI that a broader safety benefit may result from further investigation. In collaboration with the ATSB, it was decided the investigation would be completed under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.."

WTF?? What appears to be a something, nothing incident and like the Clontarf a non-RPT operation. So why are they not investigating the Clontarf??

Hmm..perhaps it is purely the association with ATSB (under their rail collaboration agreement) and the relationship with AMSA that is important? While other serious incidents, that maybe politically sensitive, will be ignored until such time  as the ATSB is positioned to take over all forms of NSW's transport safety investigation??   

MTF...P2