Vessel Type: Tanker / Incident
description
The incident occurred in open water
during the hours of darkness with the sea state described as rough, wind BF 6-7
and good visibility.
Apart from the officer of the watch (OOW), an AB was also
present on the bridge as look-out and steering was on autopilot. Midway through
the watch, the OOW permitted the AB to perform cleaning and housekeeping duties
in the accommodation and therefore became the sole lookout. Shortly after taking
an azimuth bearing to check the compass error, the OOW sighted a white light
almost dead ahead and apparently at very close range. Before effective avoiding
action could be taken by the OOW, a yacht under sail was seen passing along the
port side hull, at which point he called the Master. The yacht crew transmitted
a distress message by VHF radio reporting that they had been struck by another
vessel, sustaining serious damage and flooding. The tanker then maneuvered to
make a lee for the yacht and successfully rescued the crew.
Analysis
The decision by the OOW in allowing the AB to leave the bridge to carry out other duties at night was a serious breach of Rule 5 of the COLREGS and STCW requirements for the keeping of a safe navigational watch. The absence of the AB meant that it was not possible to maintain a proper look-out taking into consideration the requirement of the OOW to perform other navigational duties. Although a sole look-out may be permissible during daylight hours in certain favorable circumstances, the OOW should not be the sole look-out during hours of darkness.
Analysis
The decision by the OOW in allowing the AB to leave the bridge to carry out other duties at night was a serious breach of Rule 5 of the COLREGS and STCW requirements for the keeping of a safe navigational watch. The absence of the AB meant that it was not possible to maintain a proper look-out taking into consideration the requirement of the OOW to perform other navigational duties. Although a sole look-out may be permissible during daylight hours in certain favorable circumstances, the OOW should not be the sole look-out during hours of darkness.
Later examination of the evidence and preserved VDR recordings was
able to show that the yacht appeared consistently on the radar display at a
range of about 3 miles from the tanker. If a proper look-out had been
maintained on the tanker by sight and all other available means, sufficient
time would still have been available to the OOW to assess the situation and
take necessary avoiding action.
Lessons Learnt
·
The OOW should never be the sole look-out during hours of
darkness
·
Masters should ensure that standing and night orders make
it clear that the keeping of a proper lookout in strict accordance with the
COLREGS and STCW requirements is of paramount importance
·
Although a vessel may be navigating in open water and/or
conditions of apparently light traffic, a diligent look-out should still be
maintained.
·
OOW’s should always be vigilant to the possibility that
small craft may only be detected visually or on radar at relatively close range
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