A bulk carrier was sailing at night in coastal waters when it spotted a fishing vessel, whose navigation and signal lights were indistinct. The bulk carrier changed his course and alerted the fishing vessel’s crew. However, the fishing vessel changed its course as well, and the two ships collided. This shows that an early avoiding action is important.
The incident
As the bulk carrier was sailing, the OOW was accompanied by an AB as lookout with automatic steering engaged. A vessel was noted one point on the starboard bow at a range of 5 n.m. and was acquired on the ARPA. The vessel was small and brightly lit, and it was identified as a fishing vessel although navigation and signal lights were indistinct.
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The radar indicated that the fishing vessel was crossing slowly and on a steady bearing, with a risk of collision. When at a range of about 1.5 n.m., the OOW altered his vessel’s course 22 degrees to starboard and used the bridge signal lamp to alert the fishing vessel crew. After this manoeuvre, the fishing vessel changed his course too, so as to cross from port to starboard at which the OOW altered course to port to the original heading. With the fishing vessel now very close on the starboard bow, it altered course again, colliding with the bulk carrier’s starboard side.
Probable cause
Despite the fishing vessel being sighted in time, the OOW failed to take proper action to avoid collision. The change of course was made too late to prevent the collision. Although other vessels which were fishing in the area were said to have restricted the available sea room, early and decisive action may have avoided concentrations of fishing vessels and a reduction in speed could allow more time for decision making. The bulk carrier also failed to make use of sound signals to alert the fishing vessel crew.
- Where risk of collision exists, early and decisive avoiding action should be taken and its effectiveness must be closely monitored.
- A high state of vigilance is required when navigating in the vicinity of fishing vessels for which appropriate watch keeping arrangements should be in place.
- When navigating in or near areas of high traffic density, consideration should be given to reducing the vessel’s speed and engaging manual steering.
- Do not neglect to make use of sound signals as required by the COLREGS.
- Never risk being exposed to allegations of “hit and run”. Positively communicate with and provide all necessary assistance to the other vessel.
