200361 Unsafe Overtaking

02 Mar 2003 MARS

Unsafe Overtaking
Report No. 200361

Two vessels were plotted overtaking my vessel on my starboard side. Both were 'apparently reputable' companies who hire STCW '95, 'White List' certified crew & officers. According to this, they should have a complete knowledge of the COLREGS, as well as some basic knowledge of ship handling, ARPA limitations and general good seamanship.

SHIP A: Container vessel, Course 140T, Speed. 23kts, CPA 0.5nm, TCPA 18min.

SHIP B: LPG carrier, Course 140T, Speed. 20kts, CPA zero, TCPA 21min.

Neither vessel showed any desire in any way to alter their courses to avoid my vessel by a larger margin as is required under COLREGS. I therefore altered my vessel to port (Co. 130T)to allow for more sea room, BOTH vessels altered to port as well & maintained their previous crossing/collision courses. This was clearly visible by sight, of the aspect and in the wake of the two vessels. I again altered to port (Co. 110T), and again both vessels altered to port as well.

By now, the container vessel is on my starboard beam, distance 0.7nm, Co. 120T & the LPG is on Co. 115T, 0.9nm on my starboard quarter, both still closing on my vessel. I had no idea what their next stupid move might be, so I took a round turn to port and came around behind them on my original course of 156T. Both were still on their last plotted courses and speeds.

Some questions spring to mind
  1. In an area of sufficient sea room, why on God's earth do people still have to pass so close/collide?
  2. Do they have ANY clue as to the requirements of COLREGS?
  3. Do they EVEN CARE?
  4. Of what use is STCW '95 & the famed 'White List', besides lowering the value of reputable officers tickets to that of the lowest common denominator?
  5. When, if ever, will people be held accountable for these stupid actions. Or is money such a factor that there is no real regard for SAFETY besides in the wonderful ISM paperwork? (I lay my money on it that these ships were perfectly up to date on all the 'required' paperwork, certificates and any other relevant piece of documentation.)
  6. How much of an accident will it take to get some REALLY effective controls in place? (Think of the bang the LPG & a half laden chemical carrier could have made if I had not altered!!)
Some comments

I am in favour of ISM and all that goes with it. We have a system in place and work with it quite successfully to get our jobs done. Granted, it does make more work, so the job just takes longer, there is no way around that. I would quite happily see those two officers stripped of their rank and blacklisted internationally, no matter about their human rights. I have a right as well, not to be rammed by some incompetent idiot. I have worked really hard and am justifiably proud of the professional ticket I hold. I have no idea what others like those two officers may be or how they may have obtained their tickets, but they are by no means and will never be professionals.

Although this may sound a 'little strong handed' to some or all. Let them do a month long rotation in the Singapore & Malacca Straits and see how they feel after hours of crisis management due to a complete lack of any knowledge/regard for COLREGS.

Your MARS 200203 "Understanding COLREGS", summed that up quite well as far as I'm concerned.

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