200265 Fishing Vessel in a hurry

Fishing Vessel in a hurry
Report No. 200265

After clearing the Panama canal en route to Guayaquil my vessel dropped the pilot at Balboa and had just passed the seaway buoy southbound. To my right, the Pacific anchorage was packed with vessels at anchor. It was clear ahead and no inbound traffic was expected. The engine was put on Full Ahead, and we started on sea passage within six minutes on a course of 148. It was a dark night with good visibility. Then I saw a fishing vessel on my port side, speeding at about 12 knots in a south westerly direction trying to cross my bow. The vessel showed green over white fishing lights, however, it was quite obvious that it was not fishing at all.

The situation became critical as the distance decreased rapidly. I sounded the whistle and used the searchlight but received no reaction from the other side. I could not alter course to starboard because of the many vessels at anchor within close range. An alteration to port was ruled out for obvious reasons. I stopped the engine and then put her on half astern. However, with my own vessel's speed already about 11knts, the engine did not start going astern. I realised that I would have to press the "Cancel Limitation" switch for an emergency reverse manoeuvre.

In the meantime, the fishing vessel had disappeared in the blind sector below the visibility line in front of the bow. Luckily, it came in sight again after a short while on my starboard side. So the reverse manoeuvre of my engine was not necessary any more. The passing distance was estimated at less than 100m. I cannot say whether the bridge of the fishing vessel was manned at all, probably not. I have no other explanation for this kind of "blindfolded" crossing of a major shipping route. These people seem to think when they keep their fishing lights on all other vessels will have to give way.