98010 Seamanship Standards

Seamanship Standards
UK East Coast
Report No. 98010

I was Master on board an oil field vessel on a course of 3440T at a speed of 12 knots about 5 miles south of the North Haisborough buoy, when a cargo vessel on my port side (with plenty of sea room available to him) persisted on a collision course until within 0.6' of my vessel before he finally altered course to starboard to pass astern of me

My own vessel was highly manoeuvrable and I therefore intended to take avoiding action at 0.5'. In the meantime I had tried by various means, including the 'now redundant' Morse Code attempted to make contact with the other vessel. Only after I had read her name on the port bow and called on again on Channel 16 did he reply: "If you can't take it you shouldn't be at sea". I replied: "You have broken all the rules of good seamanship and can expect to hear from the authorities".

From 31/12/97 the listening watch on 500 for Morse Code ceased. The reporter wishes to point out that although some people may consider it to be redundant, the basic bridge equipment should still include an Aldis Lamp and learning the Morse Code should still be a requirement when studying for certificates of competency.

The concern of some mariners about the demise of Morse Code following the introduction of GMDSS has also prompted a letter from several Radio Officers. MARS 98011 contains extracts from the letter which raises some thought-provoking issues.