Dramatic night at sea: Investigation sheds light on Port Phillip boat wreck

VICTORIA’S Office of the Chief Investigator of Transport Safety, has released a preliminary report on a transport safety investigation into the grounding and wreck of a Port Phillip Sea Pilots boat.

The preliminary report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau details that the Corsair was returning after collecting a pilot from onboard Rio Grande, an outbound container ship, when, just after 23:00 on October 5, 2023, it entered the shallow water surrounding Point Lonsdale Reef and then ran aground.

Victoria Water Police were called in to rescue the Corsair’s captain, deckhand, and the pilot they had collected.

The report details that several calls were made from Corsair seeking assistance, the first by mobile phone to the crew of the sister launch, PV Nepean.

“A Mayday distress broadcast was subsequently transmitted from Corsair on VHF radio. The distress call was heard by Ports Victoria Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) which contacted the Victoria Police Search and Rescue Squad,” the report reads.

“Victoria Police then activated the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard at Queenscliff, the Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad at Blairgowrie, and its own rescue response team.

“Several vessels responded to the emergency and the three occupants of Corsair were subsequently brought aboard the Coast Guard vessel.”

The boat was destroyed on the reef overnight, and the debris was recovered the next day.

Chief Investigator Mark Smallwood said the investigation was ongoing.

“As it progresses, the investigation will consider the operation of Corsair, including bridge resource management, and will further examine relevant safety management systems and vessel data recordings,” Mr Smallwood said.

Port Phillip Sea Pilots, operating since 1839, offers a piloting service steering ships between the heads and bay channels to the ports of Geelong and Melbourne.

Mr Smallwood said the natural environment was challenging.

“Point Lonsdale Reef, an outcrop of flat-topped rocks, extends up to about 540m south-east of Point Lonsdale, and sits west of a defined small craft channel – which itself is to the west of a number of channels suitable for larger ships.

“The extent of the reef’s exposure and its visibility varies with tide and sea conditions.”

To date, the transport safety investigation has included interviews with relevant personnel, vessel inspections, the examination of pilot launch track recordings from the accident and previous transits of the Heads, and a review of relevant communications.

A final report will be released at the conclusion of the investigation.

“Relevant parties will be notified immediately, should the investigation identify a critical safety issue before the final report is complete.”