200945 Collision near pilot station
Collision near pilot station - MARS Report 200945
Arriving at a very busy tanker port, and with only three miles to go to the charted pilot station, a laden deep-draught VLCC, displaying the appropriate signals for a vessel constrained by her draught (CBD), was crossing a west-bound TSS lane from south to north, making about three knots over the ground.
The passage plan envisaged a 90 alteration to starboard after the crossing and a track parallel to the TSS lane's northern edge leading to the pilot station. However, due to numerous vessels anchored within the traffic lane and obstructing her path along the crossing heading, she altered to an almost easterly heading within the west-bound traffic lane for safety (contrary to the general direction of traffic flow). She duly advised VTS of her predicament.
While on this course, a collision situation developed with a tug and tow, crossing from her port bow, on a southerly heading. The tug was not displaying signals to show that it was restricted in ability to manoeuvre (RAM), and despite being the give-way vessel, failed to take early avoiding action. At the very last minute, the tug suddenly altered hard to port and stopped her engine, and the VLCC, by now within one mile from the pilot station, also altered to port as an avoiding action.
However, due to the nature of the vessel's limited slow-speed manoeuvring capabilities under the prevailing circumstances, and possibly an adverse effect of sub-surface current, she drifted on to the vessels anchored close west of the pilot station and collided with two of them, causing hull damage to all the vessels involved.
The company's investigation listed the probable causes:
Colregs violation by the tug and tow in avoiding impeding the safe passage of a vessel CBD, exhibiting the signals in Rule 28;
Area of high traffic density;
Limitations of the VLCC's manoeuvring capabilities;
Vessels unlawfully anchored within west-bound TSS lane and close to the pilot boarding area, allowing insufficient sea room for approaching vessels to embark pilot;
Due to her deep draught, the VLCC may have been subject to underwater currents different from the anticipated surface currents;
Experience of the members of the bridge team could be a contributing factor in determining the risks involved and ship-handling capabilities;
Insufficient planning, bridge team management and situational awareness. The bridge was also short of an additional lookout, required under the company guidelines.
Corrective/preventative actions
Representation to be made to VTIS, to ensure that the safe passage of CBD vessels is not impeded by other vessels as far as is practicable;
Vessels violating Colregs should be reported;
Increased simulator training to be given to masters with seatime of less than two years in command;
There should be warning to mariners reflecting changes in currents that are different from the published data and which we presume are severely affected by reclamation of sea areas especially in congested surroundings.
The movement of vessels in and out of highly congested port areas to be more attentively monitored by VTIS.
Anchoring of vessels in the close proximity to pilot areas and traffic lanes, should be avoided;
The use of sea pilots, or an additional officer for vessels routinely engaged in transits through areas of high traffic density, is recommended.
Lessons learned
The navigator must have a good knowledge of the manoeuvring capabilities of the vessel.
A detailed risk assessment should be carried out before entering areas of restricted sea room and plans for contingencies must be in place.
Close monitoring of external factors such as currents, windage, shallow water effects on the vessel's manoeuvrability must be carried out.
Editor's note: Radar monitoring and, in good visibility, visual lookout would have shown the VLCC's bridge team that her planned track was indeed being obstructed by the vessels improperly anchored within a traffic lane. Accordingly, instead of being forced to navigate on a heading contrary to the general direction of traffic flow within that lane, which is itself a serious violation of Colreg Rule 10, she could have exercised prudent seamanship by amending the passage plan and proceeding further eastwards along the east-bound lane before crossing into the west-bound lane and back-tracking towards the charted pilot station. Timely and sensible routeing advice from the VTS could also have helped in this incident.