UK MAIB released an investigation report focusing on the collision between the UK registered fishing vessel Achieve and the Panama registered general cargo vessel Talis.
The incident
On 8 November 2020, the UK registered fishing vessel Achieve collided with the Panama registered general cargo ship Talis in fog. The fishing vessel was severely damaged and sank while being towed to port. The cargo ship suffered minor damage. There were no injuries and only minor pollution from Achieve.
The MAIB investigation identifed that neither vessel was keeping an effective lookout in the restricted visibility. Additionally, Achieve’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision. Talis’s radar detected the fishing vessel at close range, but the watchkeeping officer’s action was hesitant and too late to avoid a collision.
Following the accident, Achieve was salvaged and then scrapped. Its owner/skipper, who has since bought a half share in a new boat and fshes part time with its co-owner, has been recommended to put procedures in place to require a proper lookout is kept at all times.
Recommendations
- The owner/skipper, who has since bought a half share in a new boat and fishes part time with its co-owner, has been recommended (2021/132) to put procedures in place to require a proper lookout is kept at all times.
- A recommendation (2021/133) has been made to Talis’s owner to remind its masters and officers of their obligations under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, as amended.
Lessons learned
- neither crew was keeping an effective lookout in restricted visibility and neither vessel was making the required sound signals
- the fishing vessel’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision and the vessel was not fitted with a radar reflector
- ineffective use was made of radar by both vessels which could have provided early warning of the risk of collision
- the action taken to avoid the collision was made too late
VIEW THE FULL ACCIDENT REPORT HERE
