Page 10 - 2021 - Q2 - Minerva in Focus

SAFETY & SECURITY Safety Digest:

Collision between container vessel and gas carrier

Photos: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)

The Incident towards a boat transfer position near Algeciras. The accident hap-
[occurred onboard a vessel of another company] pened because neither vessel appreciated the risk of collision in
sufficient time to take effective avoiding action and pass at a safe
On 4 August 2018, the UK registered container vessel, ANL Wyo- distance. The investigation has also highlighted risks associat-
ng, and the Italian registered gas carrier, King Arthur, collided ed with the inappropriate use of VHF radio and AIS information
in darkness and dense fog in an area of heavy shipping traffic, when assessing the risk of collision. The collision occurred within
south-east of Gibraltar; both vessels were destined for Algeciras, a recognised vessel traffic service (VTS) area; however, the vessels
Spain. ANL Wyong was stopped and waiting for a pilot as there were not warned of the developing risk by the shore authority
was no berth immediately available; King Arthur was heading responsible for traffic safety in the area.

Root Causes Lessons Learned

• Although both vessels were monitoring the shipping sit- • Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out
uation, neither bridge team responded effectively to the by sight and hearing as well as by all available means ap-
developing, hazardous situation. propriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions
• On board ANL Wyong, the officer of the watch was aware of so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and the risk
numerous other vessels approaching, but perceived that of collision.
they would all keep clear, so took no action. • Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so
• On board King Arthur, the master’s action to avoid ANL that she can take proper and effective action to avoid col-
Wyong was insufficient, and collision-avoidance decisions lision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the
were largely based on AIS information and VHF conversa- prevailing circumstances and conditions.
tions, which were misleading and distracting. • Proper use shall be made of radar equipment if fitted and
• Although the collision occurred within a designated VTS operational, including long-range scanning to obtain early
area, no action was taken ashore to warn the vessels of warning of the risk of collision and radar plotting or equiv-
the risk of collision. alent systematic observation of detected objects.
• Neither vessel was proceeding at a safe speed for the pre- • If there is sufficient sea room, alteration of course alone
vailing circumstances and conditions. may be the most effective action to avoid a close quarters
situation, provided it is made in good time, is substantial,
and does not result in another close quarters situation.

8 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 16 / Q2 2021 Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)