26 Jun 13 - 12:25
MAIB Accident Investigation report 17/2013
MAIB issued a report on the investigation of the collision between mv Seagate and mv Timor Stream 24 nautical miles north of the Dominican Republic on 10 March 2012 at 05.40 local time.
At 0540 on 10 March 2012, the bulk carrier Seagate and the refrigerated-cargo ship Timor Stream collided while transiting open waters, in good conditions of visibility, 24 nm north of the Dominican Republic.
There were no injuries, but both ships were badly damaged and there was some minor pollution.Timor Stream left port 3 hours before the collision and was proceeding to the United Kingdom; Seagate was on passage to the west coast of Africa.
Seagate's chief officer saw Timor Stream but assumed it was an overtaking vessel which would keep clear of Seagate. The master of Timor Stream, who was alone on the bridge, was not keeping an effective lookout. Neither watchkeeper realised that the two vessels were on a collision course until less than a minute before the accident.Poor watchkeeping standards, driven by complacency, led to the collision.
The officer in charge of the navigational watch on both vessels failed to keep a proper lookout, did not assess the risk of, or take appropriate action to avoid collision. In summary, both officers failed to comply with some of the most fundamental elements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (as amended) and the written navigational procedures issued by their respective company managers.
The managers of both vessels have taken action designed to prevent similar accidents in the future which address the safety issues identified in the MAIB's investigation. Accordingly, no recommendations have been issued with this report.
To view the Accident Investigation report please click at, MAIB Report 17/2013.
Source: MAIB
