200305 Whoops

Whoops
Report No. 200305

The following was heard recently on Channel 12 VHF, whilst transiting the Thames Pilotage area, during the hours of darkness, good weather and good visibility. The vessel involved was pilot exempt :-

Ship XXX Ship on my starboard bow distance 1.3 miles this is the Ship XXX, come in please.

No answer

Ship XXX Ship on my starboard bow distance 1.3 miles this is the Ship XXX come in please.

No Answer

Port Control Ship XXX, this is Port Control, who are you trying to contact?
Ship XXX The vessel on my starboard bow - I wish to inform him that he has a problem with his navigation lights.

Port Control Ship XXX, this is Port Control, the only object on your starboard bow at that distance is the Red Sand Towers.

No Answer

For those not familiar with the Thames Estuary, the Red Sand Towers are one of the old wartime forts which are clearly marked on charts, and buoyed.