96001 Near Miss Crossing TSS SING

Gross Negligence approaching Pilot Station
Off Singapore

EXCELLENT VISIBILITY
Report No 96001

I wish to report a hazardous navigational situation which arose fromgross negligence of the anti-collision rules. Our 12,000 grt container vesselwas proceeding at 16 knots along the westbound lane in the Singapore Strait.The Bridge Team consisted of the Captain and Duty Officer, a crew memberwho was steering the vessel and a second crew member who was on standby.VHF Channels 73 and 12 were being monitored. After passing N. Nipa beacon,our course was altered to 2850 True. Shortly thereafter, we were informedby VTIS on VHF Ch 73 that a small fast craft was approaching us from theport side. This high speed ferry passed safely by our stern, causing noproblems.

Shortly after that, we overheard a call to a large general cargo vesselinstructing her to come to the pilot station. A little later, we saw a vesselapproaching at full speed from the south heading towards the Western BoardingGround. She came in at an angle of about 30 degrees on our port bow, aimingstraight for the "Western" buoy. Ahead of us was a tanker driftingvery slowly to the northward over our course line and behind that was aro-ro vessel approaching at reduced speed on a reciprocal course to us andclose to the north border of the traffic lane. We were holding our courseand speed, expecting the vessel on our port bow to give way and then resumeher approach to the pilot boat which was seen passing close to the "Western"buoy. It was our intention to pass the drifting tanker whilst leaving roomfor the ro-ro vessel to pass on our starboard side, after which she couldalso pass astern of the drifting tanker.

However, the vessel approaching on our port bow did not show any intentionof slowing down or altering course to give way. Due to the bad state ofmaintenance of her hull, her name could not be yet read. At a distance ofabout 2 miles we started sounding our whistle, followed by flashes on thedaylight signalling lamp. No reaction. As the vessels were approaching eachother rapidly at an estimated closing speed of 28 knots and bearing in mindthe traffic situation, it was decided to take the initiative and the order"hard port rudder" was given in the knowledge that our vesselwould respond immediately and drastically. We sounded two short blasts asthere was no time left to establish a sure and satisfying radio contact,the result of which might have been questionable. Shortly thereafter thevessels passed each other on their starboard bows at a distance of about0.5 miles. The other vessel followed her way unwavering and undisturbed.After clearing her we resumed our course and speed and passed the othervessels as already intended.

When passing the rogue vessel, I called her on VHF Ch 73 telling herthat she was creating a very dangerous situation by not acting accordingto the 'Rules of the Road' and asked why she did not give way. The onlyanswer was: "We have to pick up the pilot". I then called VTISand informed the authority of what had happened and that I wished to lodgea complaint. They acknowledged this. A few minutes later we overheard VTIStalking to the rogue vessel, informing her of our complaint and asking whetherher Master would like to talk to me. The rogue vessel replied: "Wehave instruction to pick up the pilot, we have no time to talk now, therewas plenty of room". After that I talked one more time to VTIS, confirmingthat I wanted to lodge a protest. Further discussion with the Master ofthe rogue vessel seemed meaningless

Apart from the inconsiderate behaviour of the navigational team on therogue vessel, I would also like to comment on the service by the VTIS. Atfirst their action to forewarn me of the small ferry boat was good, if somewhatsuperfluous, considering the excellent weather conditions and the ease ofshipping. They failed to warn the rogue vessel to watch out for lane trafficwhen telling them to come to the pilot station and they did not call usagain to announce the crossing of the lane by the rogue vessel. Even whenthe situation got close, there was no warning from VTIS. This raises thequestion as to what to expect when Vessel Traffic Information Service willeventually upgrade to full scale Vessel Traffic Management Service. Suchan organisation must be truly professional, otherwise it will create dangeroussituations instead of helping to avoid them. This report is sent in thehope that it will contribute to safer and more understanding mariners andtraffic control.

The above report raises several issues. This areais one of the busiest in the World and therefore needs to have clearly definedtraffic routeing measures and regulations put into place. There is a noteon the chart concerning crossing traffic but this does not mean that theCOLREGS should be ignored. The Ro-Ro vessel complicates the issue by steamingin an easterly direction close to the northern border of the Traffic Lanewhich has arrows showing the westerly direction of traffic flow. Some peoplemay be surprised at the alteration of course to port but the Master obviouslyknew the handling characteristics of his vessel and decided there was sufficienttime to enable this manoeuvre to be executed safely.