Collision between cargo ship Rickmers Dubai and a crane barge

UK MAIB issues Accident Report No 29/2014

The UK MAIB has issued report on the investigation of the collision between the multi-purpose cargo ship Rickmers Dubai with the un-manned crane barge Walcon Wizard in the south-west traffic lane of the Dover Strait TSS.

At 0154 on 11 January 2014, the Liberia registered multi-purpose cargo ship Rickmers Dubai collided with Walcon Wizard, an un-manned crane barge which was being towed by the tug Kingston in the south-west traffic lane of the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme. Following the collision, Kingston was pulled stern-first through the water until the towline ran free from its tow winch. Walcon Wizard was badly damaged and Rickmers Dubais hull was punctured above the waterline. The hydraulic system for the tow winch on board Kingston was also damaged. There were no injuries and there was no pollution. The accident occurred while the cargo ship was overtaking the tug and tow.

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The investigation established that Rickmers Dubais officer of the watch:

Had not kept a proper lookout. He did not see Walcon Wizard when he altered

course to avoid Kingston, which was less than 2 cables ahead.

Relied solely on AIS information displayed on the ECDIS as an aid to collision avoidance.

Was relatively inactive during his watch. He was alone on the bridge, he did not monitor the radar and the bridge navigational watch alarm system was switched off.

Did not take note of the content of two safety broadcasts issued by Dover

Coastguard advising of Kingston and Walcon Wizard’s position in the south-west traffic lane.

The investigation also identified:

Neither Kingston nor Walcon Wizard were transmitting on AIS.

Kingstons towing and stern lights were probably obscured by a floodlight.

A safety broadcast, which was scheduled for 0140 and would have included the position and movement of Kingston and Walcon Wizard, was not issued by Dover Coastguard because the operator was busy dealing with other matters and had been on watch for almost 4 hours.

The towline was secured to the tow winch on board Kingston and could not be released quickly or from the wheelhouse.

The requirements for the release of towlines from towing winches are ambiguous.

Recommendations have been made to the ships managers designed to improve the navigational and operational safety of their fleets. A recommendation has also been made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that is intended to improve the effectiveness of the safety messages broadcast by Dover Coastguard.

Further information may be found by reading relevant UK MAIB report.