A lack of effective communication contributed to a damaging collision between the sail training ship Leeuwin II and a container ship in Fremantle Harbour last year that injured two crew members, a new report has found.

The investigation by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) found one of the harbour pilots helping navigate the 333-metre long Maersk Shekou into the port failed to issue a crucial instruction as the giant vessel battled through rough seas and stormy weather, escorted by four tugboats. Loading...

A secondary pilot, who was meant to be monitoring the ship's arrival, was distracted by taking a non-essential phone call.

The container ship, which was laden with more than 4,000 shipping containers, struck the Leeuwin, which was berthed at the quay, causing the woode

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