Marine Accident Report
Grounding of the Panamanian Passenger Ship Royal
Majesty
on Rose and Crown Shoal
Near Nantucket, Massachusetts
June 10, 1995
NTSB Number MAR-97/01
NTIS Number PB97-916401
PDF Document (1.5M)
Abstract: On June 10, 1995, the Panamanian passenger ship
Royal Majesty grounded on Rose and Crown Shoal about 10 miles east
of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, and about 17 miles from where the watch
officers thought the vessel was. The vessel, with 1,509 persons aboard,
was en route from St. George's Bermuda, to Boston, Massachusetts. There
were no deaths or injuries as a result of this accident. Damage to the
vessel and lost revenue, however, were estimated at about $7 million.
This report examines the following major safety issues: performance
of the Royal Majesty's integrated bridge system and the global positioning
system, performance of the Royal Majesty's watch officers, effects
of automation on watch officers' performance, training standards for watch
officers aboard vessels equipped with electronic navigation systems and
integrated bridge systems, and design, installation, and testing standards
for integrated bridge systems.
As a result of its investigation, the National Transportation Safety
Board issued safety recommendations to Majesty Cruise Line, the U.S. Coast
Guard, STN Atlas Elektronik GmbH, Raytheon Marine, the National Marine
Electronics Association, the International Electrotechnical Commission,
the International Council of Cruise Lines, the International Chamber of
Shipping, and the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners.