A pilot was distracted by his phone for a minute at a critical turn in a shipping channel just before the mammoth Ever Forward container vessel became stuck on the muddy bottom of the Chesapeake Bay earlier this year, according to a US Coast Guard investigation into the incident. The ship’s crew appeared to be aware that something was amiss but failed to get the pilot’s attention before the ship went aground on March 13, the report found. The Ever Forward remained stationary for about five weeks. Finding of Concern 1 reiterates the original warnings and emphasizes the additional dangers associated with fixation on electronic devices as well as over -reliance on a singular piece of equipment while navigating or performing safety-sensitive functions. Vessel owners and marine operators are recommended to develop and implement effective policies outlining when the use of cell phones and other portable electronic devices is appropriate or prohibited.
