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MAIB releases report into the collision between FV ACHIEVE and Cargo Ship TALIS off North Shields. ACHIEVE under tow. Credit: RNLI/Tynemouth
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has released their report on the investigation into the collision between prawn trawler ACHIEVE and general cargo vessel TALIS, which resulted in the subsequent sinking of ACHIEVE.
The summary of the report reads, On 8 November 2020, the UK registered fishing vessel ACHIEVE HL257 collided with the Panama registered general cargo ship Talis in fog. The fishing vessel was severely damaged and sank while being towed to port. Neither vessel was keeping an effective lookout in the restricted visibility and ACHIEVE’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision.
Regarding safety issues the investigation found that neither crew was keeping an effective lookout in restricted visibility and neither vessel was making the required sound signals.
The stem post of the FV ACHIEVE after salvage
The investigators found that the fishing vessel’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision and the vessel was not fitted with a radar reflector. Also, ineffective use was made of radar by both vessels which could have provided early warning of the risk of collision and the action taken to avoid the collision was made too late.
The conclusions of the investigations found:
- Neither crew was keeping an effective lookout in the prevailing conditions of restricted visibility.
- Talis did not follow the company’s SMS requirements to have two officers on the bridge during periods of restricted visibility, and the C/O allowed himself to become distracted by administrative work instead of monitoring the radar.
- ACHIEVE’s skipper was not in the wheelhouse in the lead up to the collision so could not keep a proper and effective lookout.
- Had ACHIEVE’s radar reflector been mounted on the mast it may have improved its radar echo strength and, therefore, visibility on Talis’s radar.
- TALIS’ C/O relied heavily on AIS information to provide early warning of approaching traffic and lost valuable time validating a weak radar contact. ACHIEVE took no action to avoid the collision, and the action taken by TALIS’ C/O was too late.
- Neither vessel was sounding fog signals, which may have alerted them to the other’s presence.
The TALIS post-collision with FV ACHIEVE
The recommendations made in the report are that the owner/skipper, who has since bought a half share in a new boat and fishes part time with its co-owner, has been recommended (2021/132) to put procedures in place to require a proper lookout is kept at all times. A recommendation (2021/133) has been made to Talis’s owner to remind its masters and officers of their obligations under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, as amended.
The full report can be read by clicking here.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting a number of the safety lessons was produced for this report.
