200112 Why Give Way to the Navy?

Why Give Way to the Navy?
Report No. 200112

I'm sailing as chief mate on a Suezmax crude oil tanker and have, in my opinion at least, gained a "good" experience at sea as watch keeper. I have sailed almost all around the world, and have spent several months in some "crowded" places such as the China Sea, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea.

My first thought when I saw this article was:

Let's see what somebody from the Navy knows about the rules. Because a lot of bad experiences with warships made me very cautious when crossing one. I quote just two examples, both of them in the Strait of Gibraltar.

1. I was 3rd mate on a 40,000dwt chemical tanker and we were west bound, making a speed around 14kn. Almost abeam of Tarifa, we were overtaken to starboard at less than 2 cables by a Spanish patrol vessel, making 25kn. Not even 5 cables ahead of us, she made a "U" turn, and crossed us on our port side on a reciprocal course a few minutes later. Sailing in the wrong lane of the separation scheme, of course. This manoeuvre was taken without any warning whatsoever.
2. A few years later, almost on the same spot, I was then 2nd mate on a smaller chemical tanker making almost 18kn. I noticed a British warship to starboard on a collision course. Traffic was heavy but I had time enough to appraise the situation a little bit more. Large manoeuvres in the middle of the Strait of Gibraltar are not advised but at a distance of between 2.5 to 3nm, I started to alter to starboard to make it a "clean" manoeuvre. My large alteration of course (more than 45°) couldn't have been unseen. Despite my clear action, this Navy vessel altered course to port at little bit later. I had to give hard to port to avoid her. I tried to call them on CH 16, but they never replied.
3. My opinion on the "lessons to be learned from this incident":
4. Being "stand on" vessel never negates my responsibility for taking action. Aren't rule 2 and 17 clear enough ?
5. The watch should be handed over only when the situation is clear.
6. If the Navy ship had only a one man bridge, the chances of a collision could have been much greater.
7. I always try to be very alert on the bridge and to keep an efficient lookout. But my senses are always at their highest when I see a fishing ship and a warship. This is not a slant against the Navy, it's simply a fact of life.