200636 Poor use of VHF

VHF Conversation between a tanker and a cargo ship in the vicinity of Messina Strait. Perfect visibility in the area on a fine summer's evening in July.

The tanker has the cargo ship on her port bow and is obviously concerned about a collision risk or close quarters crossing situation. The tanker calls up the cargo ship by name and when the ship replies, asks what her intentions are. The cargo ship ignores the call.

The tanker calls again after a few minutes and the cargo ship replies. Conversation is as follows and was held on open VHF channel 16.

Tanker: What are your intentions?
Cargo: Maintain my course and speed.
Tanker: But you are on my port side, you must alter course.
Cargo: My captain told me to keep to the course.
Tanker: Let’s go back to school my friend. You are on my port side you are the give way vessel. You must alter your course.
Cargo: I must alter my course?
Tanker: Yes, you must alter your course.
Cargo: I must tell my captain.
Silence for about 1 minute
Tanker: Calls cargo vessel and cargo vessel replies. The tanker says, OK my friend maintain your course. Do not alter course. I will alter my course. Do not alter your course.
Cargo: OK, maintain my course.

Editor's note: To many this may seem a humorous exchange, but it demonstrates so many underlying issues: standards of watchkeeping, understanding of Colregs, bridge team management, and general competence. Management everywhere should ensure that such an exchange could not happen within their crews, and mariners everywhere should understand what they could be up against when assessing their own risks.