93004 Near Miss Crossing Fog PSC

Too close for comfort
- Area not specified to retain confidentiality.
- Report No. 93004.

This incident occurred on a voyage involving crossing a Traffic Separation Scheme, a not uncommon occurrence in the coastal trade. The OOW, who had recently gained a Class 1 Certificate, was new to the trade but had undertaken a period of training and appeared to be willing and able. The forecast was for light westerly winds, becoming light and variable with good to moderate visibility.

The OOW informed me at about 0230 that we were running into fog, he had put a man on the wheel and called a lookout. A few minutes later, on my way to the bridge, our whistle was sounded. I arrived on the bridge to find that the OOW had reduced speed. He informed me that the only traffic in the vicinity was a vessel approximately 50 degrees on the port bow on a steady bearing and not giving any indication of giving way.

I ascertained the situation on the radar, and decided the only course of action was to take all way off the vessel, as the situation was by now too close to risk altering course. By the time we were stopped in the water the other vessel passed ahead at a range o0f 0.25 miles with no deviation of his course or speed. It appeared to be a bulk carrier and gave the impression that as he was in the Traffic Separation Lane he had the right of way. My vessel's OOW made the near fatal mistake of assuming that as the other vessel was on our port side he (the other vessel) would give way.

Needless to say, the OOW in question is now in no doubt whatsoever about taking early and positive action to avoid a close quarters situation, and will never again assume that a giving way vessel will duly oblige.