200226 Fishing Vessel in a Hurry

Fishing Vessel in a Hurry
Report No. 200226

We were underway from the Kiel Canal to Hull, in approximate position 530 21'N, 002 48'E, at about 2120 GM. We had a vessel approaching on our port side at almost 90 degrees to our heading. The CPA was less than two cables and indicated that she would just pass ahead of us. At a distance of 1.5 miles she still had not altered course and I gave ten short flashes with the ALDIS but this did not cause any reaction. As she was closing in fast, I decided to make a round turn to starboard. During this turn, there was a short flashing with an orange flashlight from the other vessel, but nothing else. This indicated that there was somebody on the bridge and that he/she was awake!

During the turn the distance decreased to half a mile, and I managed to get our searchlight shining on the vessel. It was a modern stern trawler, of fair size, and as far as I could see, she had a blue and white hull and was at full speed. Her course, heading roughly north-north-east, indicated a course bound for Norway. Therefore I feel free to conclude that she was Norwegian. I have encountered a similar attitude by fishermen before, crossing right under your bow, very often on their home run. We are not a large vessel, and have a very tight turning circle for emergencies, but imagine this happening on a large, heavily laden vessel in restricted waters. I think it is a deplorable attitude from fishermen in general that when they are just underway and not fishing, they still feel everyone should get out of their way.