The Transport Malta has issued safety investigation report regarding a collision incident that occured between the vessels SHIBUMI and Sam Wolf in the Singapore Straits.
On 23 December 2015, the bulk carriers Shibumi and Sam Wolf collided in the Eastbound Deep Water Route of Singapore Straits TSS. At the time of the collision, the weather was fine with visibility of up to eight nautical miles. The collision occurred shortly after Shibumi had passed Buffalo Rock Buoy and altered course to starboard in accordance with her documented voyage plan. Sam Wolf, which was on passage in the West-bound traffic lane, altered course to port and entered the Eastbound traffic lane.
The safety investigation concluded that the immediate cause of the accident was ineffective radio watch and communication between the two vessels.
Findings
- The direction and aspect of Shibumi appeared to be crossing the TSS and had (very likely) influenced the decisions made by Sam Wolf’s OOW;
- In all probability, the OOW on Sam Wolf was not aware of the traffic information broadcasts by Singapore VTS, advising Shibumi’s transit in the Eastbound traffic lane;
- Less than a mile and closing on a steady bearing, Sam Wolf altered her course to port without warning or querying the intention of Shibumi;
- Unaware of the developments on board Sam Wolf, Shibumi altered her course to starboard to keep with her voyage plan within the Deep Water Route, but which coincided with Sam Wolf’s manoeuvre;
- Singapore VTIS advice to Sam Wolf to keep clear of Shibumi and maintain transit in the Westbound lane was not followed up;
- Whilst the manoeuvre by Sam Wolf may be interpreted as a manoeuvre in accordance with COLREGs rule 17(a)(ii), the alteration of course to port may have created further confusion as it was not in accordance with rule 17(c);
- The VHF radio could have been used at an early stage to clarify uncertainty and ensure a uniform mental model of the circumstances rather than at a later stage of the dynamic process;
- Lack of communication led to no information sharing and lack of common understanding of the prevailing context;
- The two OOWs did not manage to communicate their respective mental models – the sharing of situation awareness;
- Coordination, which depends on (efficient) communication between persons (the OOWs in this case) who have to control a dynamic system, had been compromised.
Actions Taken Following the accident, TMS Dry Ltd. has taken the following safety actions: On the basis of the actions already taken by TMS Dry Ltd., the MSIU has not issued any safety recommendations. Further details may be found in the investigation report herebelow Source & Image credit: Transport Malta