The Transport Malta has issued a report investigating the collision between the Maltese registered vehicle carrier TONGALA and the Republic of Korea registered BO SPRING.
On 07 May 2015, the Marine Safety Investigation Unit (MSIU) was notified by themanagers of MV Tongala, that at about 0730 UTC (07 May 2015 at about 1530 LT), their vessel was involved in a collision with the Republic of Korea registered general cargo Bo Spring. The collision happened off the coast of the Philippines, in position 19º 51.2′ N 119º 56.5′ E. Tongala was on a ballast voyage from Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to Nagoya, Japan. Preliminary information indicated that the collision occurred when Tongala was proceeding on a course of 051°(T), while Bo Spring was crossing from the starboard side on a Northerly course.
As a result of the collision, Tongala sustained structural damages to her starboard quarter side, above the waterline, in way of (iwo) car decks nos. 3, 5 and 6 and the engine-room. Tongala sailed under her own power to Zhoushan IMC-Yongyue Shipyard in China for detailed inspections and repairs. Bo Spring, which sustained damages to her bow section, also sailed under her own power to Shanghai Minnan Shipyard in China for repairs.
No injuries or marine pollution were reported as a result of this casualty. The safety investigation concluded that in a typical crossing situation and in good visibility with vessels in sight of one another for around one hour, both navigational officers of the watch (OOWs) did not have an accurate situation awareness of the dynamic context around their respective ships. One recommendation has been made to the managers of Tongala, to address the use of off-centre radar displays during navigational watches. During the course of the safety investigation, the MSIU had very limited information on Bo Spring, her crew members and the dynamics leading to the collision from the vessel’s perspective. To this effect, the MSIU was unable to analyse and report on a more detailed operational context and perhaps enhance the possibility of preventing similar future accidents by making recommendations to the managers of Bo Spring.
Further information may be found by reading the report below
Source:Transport Malta
