MPA Singapore announced it has completed investigation on the collision between the Greece-registered bulk carrier ‘Pireas’ and the Malaysian Government vessel ‘Polaris’ in Singapore Territorial Waters off Tuas, in February.
The investigation showed that an error in the turning manoeuvre carried out by PIREAS caused it to collide with POLARIS, which was anchored at the time in a non-designated anchorage within Singapore Port Limits,
…MPA said.
On 9 February 2019, ‘Pireas’ was en route from Singapore to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelepas, when the collision took place at 14.28 hrs, according to data provided by MPA Singapore at the time.
After refueling at Singapore’s eastern bunkering anchorage south of Bedok, ‘Pireas’ declared to MPA that its next port of call was to be Tanjung Pelepas. At 1355 hrs, ‘Pireas’ entered Singapore Port Limits off Tuas. It then slowed down, changed direction and collided with Polaris.
As the collision incident was not considered a very serious marine casualty incident under the IMO Marine Casualty Investigation Code, the vessel was allowed to proceed with its journey to Tanjung Pelepas.
As the collision took place in Singapore Territorial Waters, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched an investigation into the facts surrounding the collision.
On the aftermath, MPA issued a stern written warning to the master of PIREAS for the collision.
MPA reminds the shipping community to ensure that vessels operating within Singapore Port Limits comply with the applicable regulations. MPA also reiterates its concern that the presence of unauthorised vessels in Singapore’s port waters can cause confusion for the shipping community and threaten navigational safety in the area.