96009 Near Miss Crossing Fishing v/l

Collision Regulations Ignored
UK Western Approaches

Report No. 96009

A fishing vessel was trawling in daylight heading north at about 6 knots.Fishing signals were displayed. There was a moderate sea and visibilitywas three miles. Because of obstructions on the seabed it could not maintaina steady course. A tanker was sighted on the port beam at 3 miles and aradar plot confirmed that she was on a collision course. An attempt wasmade to contact the tanker on VHF but was unsuccessful. The tanker tookno action to keep clear so the skipper of the fishing boat sounded the emergencybells and prepared to jettison the trawl. At the same time it was necessaryto alter course to port to avoid seabed obstructions and the heading changedto northwest and eventually west. The tanker passed less than a cable fromthe fishing vessel.
COMMENT

1. The vessel was engaged in fishing, therefore the tanker had a dutyto take avoiding action.

2. As no action was taken by the tanker, either a proper lookout wasnot being maintained, or the OOW considered that it was safe to pass a vesselengaged in fishing at such a close range.

3. Contact could not be established by VHF either before or after theincident. However, the signal of more than 5 short blasts (Rule 34 (d))was not made.

4. The trawler skipper assessed the collision risk and took last minuteaction himself to avoid collision.

CONCLUSION

It is likely that this is yet another case of failure to maintain a properlookout on the part of the tanker.

If the trawler had been seen and the tanker's OOW considered that heneed not take action then it is an example of the lack of understandingon the OOW's part of fishing techniques and the degree by which trawlersmay be restricted in their ability to manoeuvre.

In this instance, the trawler had to come round to port to avoid an obstruction- a manoeuvre that even to a vigilant navigator would have appeared unexpected.It is therefore most important that all watchkeepers should be made moreaware of different fishing techniques so that they can better appreciatethe need to give such vessels a wide berth, particularly when there is plentyof sea room.

Although there was a fruitless attempt at VHF contact, no use was madeof the sound signal that the Rules prescribe for this situation. All marinersshould be aware of the importance and effectiveness of sounding more than5 short blasts.

All watchkeepers should be referred to the Nautical Institute Briefing"A Vessel Engaged in Fishing" published in October 1992.