99054 Gas Carrier in Dangerous Situation

Gas Carrier in Dangerous Situation
Report No. 99054

I was steaming towards Rotterdam in the Maas West TSS when I observed a gas carrier leaving the pilotage area bound to the North. The gas carrier reported to the VTS that he was proceeding to the North between buoys E3 and E5. VTS advised that this was the Southbound channel for vessels crossing the TSS and Eurogeul and that he should proceed northwards between buoys E5 and E7. I plotted the gas carrier track northwards between E3 and E5. VTS asked him if he was aware of his position. The gas carrier was not aware of his exact position. Considering the extremely dangerous nature of the cargo, such a display of sheer incompetence is frightening.