Australia
has released a report following an investigation into the collision between the
containership Beijing Bridge and fishing vessel Saxon Onward on January
23, 2018, off Gabo Island, Victoria.
The
vessels had been aware of each other’s presence well before the collision took
place. About 45 minutes before the collision, Saxon
Onward’s watchkeeper had sighted the masthead lights and green sidelight
of an approaching Beijing Bridge on the starboard bow.
Meanwhile,
the third officer of Beijing Bridge was the officer of the watch and
the sole lookout on that vessel’s navigational bridge. He had seen Saxon
Onward, along with another fishing vessel, and both vessels were acquired
on Beijing Bridge’s radar.
The
incident occurred as Saxon Onward was bound for Eden, New South Wales while
Beijing Bridge was en route to Melbourne, Victoria from Taiwan. As the two
vessels closed on each other, they both realised that risk of collision existed
and both took action. Beijing Bridge’s course alteration was not
substantial, not made in good time, and actually increased the risk of a
collision.
Saxon
Onward made a substantial course alteration, but it was made too late and
resulted in the collision. Saxon Onward collided with Beijing Bridge,
with the trawler’s port bow impacting the ship’s starboard side. As the trawler
scraped down the ship’s side, the skipper stopped the engine and the crew
mustered in the wheelhouse.
As
a result of the collision, Beijing Bridge’s management company, V.Ships
(Germany), have advised masters and bridge watchkeeping personnel to review
compliance with the COLREGs and the ship’s SMS. The company also mandated that
passage plan tracks were to be laid at least 10 NM from the shoreline where
possible.
Furthermore,
Saxon Onward’s master has implemented a policy of maintaining two watchkeepers
on duty in the wheelhouse when transiting through high traffic density areas.
Full report at
