94042 Near Miss Crossing English Channel

Disregard of elementary Navigation Rules
- Off Falmouth, UK.
- Report No. 94042.

At approximately 0735 own ship was steering a course of 2660 T for Falmouth Pilot Station. An echo was picked up on the ARPA at about 11 miles, soon proved to be a vessel proceeding on a course of 0710 at 7.5 knots, on our port bow and on a collision course with own ship.
Visibility was poor but eventually the target vessel showed visually at about 2.8 miles. During the interim she had shown no sign of deviation of course or speed with a CPA of less than 1 cable. At 0800 target was clearly visible at 2 miles and was called on VHF and asked to state her intention. No reply was received.

At a distance of 8 cables, own ship called target vessel and stated our intention to alter course to starboard in order to avoid an otherwise inevitable collision. This we did, altering to 310 degrees and passed ahead of target vessel with a CPA of 1.5 cables.

The name of the vessel was observed but unable to obtain port of registry due to the arrival of an unfortunately timed incoming telephone call which coincided with the CPA (one man bridge operation). The vessel was a small coaster of about 500 tonnes gross. Her radar was functioning but at no time was it evident that this vessel was even aware of our presence or intending to take any avoiding action.