Bridge Error, Security Risk

Bridge Error, Security Risk

Introduction

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) recently released findings on a serious navigational incident involving the training vessel Leeuwin II. A bridge team miscommunication led to a high-risk collision scenario, underscoring that operational errors can carry security-level consequences.

Industry context

While piracy and external threats typically dominate maritime risk assessments, this incident highlights how internal failures—like crew miscoordination or breakdowns in bridge resource management—can pose equal dangers. Such lapses affect compliance with international maritime protocols (IMO, ISPS) and open critical vulnerabilities in port approaches, where security expectations are highest. These failures increase risks not only to personnel safety and cargo, but also to broader port security integrity.

Practical measures

• Implement regular bridge resource management (BRM) refreshers and crew coordination training.
• Conduct realistic emergency drills simulating communication breakdown scenarios.
• Establish robust SOPs for harbour approaches with standard verification protocols.
• Deploy voyage monitoring supported by a maritime security team during critical operations.
• Integrate threat and operational risk data into navigational decisions via intel-led routing tools.

Further resources

Learn how MS Security supports maritime professionals with targeted vessel protection services and explores solutions for managing operational threats through our capabilities portfolio.

Source

Original article: Splash247: Bridge team lapse behind Leeuwin II disaster

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Prepared by MS Security Group — experts in vessel protection, anti-piracy, and counter-narcotics operations.