On June 29, 2016 the Tour boat Summer Bay had a very near miss with the Grandeur of the Seas. From the TSB Report

the master of the Summer Bay altered course to 071° and crossed the bulbous bow of the Grandeur of the Seas at a distance of about 25 m. The fog signal from the Grandeur of the Seas was heard on the Summer Bay about 10 seconds prior to the course alteration. The Grandeur of the Seas bridge team was unaware that the Summer Bay was crossing their bow until the pilot saw the Summer Bay‘s mast as it appeared from underneath the bow on the starboard side, after it had already crossed.

the weather at the time was foggy, and the Summer Bay altered course, from the pre-arranged passing plan while in the Grandeur of the Seas radar blind spot.

the report indicates that the master of the Summer bay was new to Murphys, and had limited experience operating vessels in Halifax Harbour and in low visibility. Murphy’s also lacked procedures for operations in low visibility.

Murphy’s the Cable Wharf has made the following changes to its tour vessels:

• It has added automatic identification system units to all vessels except those that are amphibious.
• It has developed standard operating procedures for its vessel masters in reduced‑visibility conditions.
• It has commissioned an external audit of its safety management system.

Given the recent issue with the Harbour Queen, one should question if these changes were enough.

The full report can be read at http://www.bst-tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2016/m16a0141/m16a0141.asp