99055 Close Quarters in Southern North Sea

Close Quarters in Southern North Sea
Report No. 99055

Own vessel was steaming at 23.5 knots on a course of 0200T when I noticed a vessel trying to cross the NE Lane approximately 6 miles ahead of us. The crossing vessel came into close quarters situation with a group of ships ahead and then steered a course of 1700T towards the 2CZ buoy. Our ARPA gave a CPA of less than 0.1 miles. The 3rd Officer used the Aldis Lamp to flash him and the Pilot attempted to call him on VHF. All signals were ignored. Cape Gris Nez VTS advised us of his name and call sign and also said that they had recorded the vessel's track. They did not attempt to call the vessel or issue a "rogue vessel" warning. Own vessel was forced into a port alteration at the last moment at a range of less than 1 mile.