No lookouts on both vessels in fatal North Sea crash

Rule 5 of COLREGS says quite clearly that ‘every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision’.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released an interim report into what happened when the Stena Immaculate was crashed into by the cargo vessel Solong, resulting in the loss of one member of crew.

The Solong smacked into the port side of the Stena Immaculate at 9.47am on March 10 at about 16 knots, breaching a cargo tank, which released aviation fuel into the sea and on to the bow of the Solong.

The Stena Immaculate was at anchor five miles north of the Humber light float and two miles clear of any pipeline, the report says. The vessel had been manoeuvred as directed to the position alongside eight other vessels in the same area.

The MAIB report says the Solong master remained on watch until just before 11pm on March 9, when he handed over to the second officer, who took over just before midnight for a 12-hour shift.

Onboad Solong, the master returned to the bridge at 7am on March 10, taking watch as the lone watch keeper. Visibility was ‘patchy’ and varied between 0.25nm and 2nm.

Almost three hours later, it careered into the Stena Immaculate, both crews abandoned ship to lifeboats and were picked up by local boats and emergency respondents, as well as two of Windcat Workboats’ Crew Transfer Vessels, which were working in the area.

Solong’s able seaman Mark Pernia, who was in the forecastle at the time of the crash, has not been found.

As yet there are no definitive reasons given for the allision – the MAIB says its investigation is ongoing and both vessels are still undergoing salvage operations.

“The investigation will encompass the navigation and watch-keeping practices on board both vessels; manning and fatigue management; the condition and maintenance of the vessels involved; the use of the offshore area as an anchorage for vessels waiting to enter the Humber Estuary; and the environmental conditions at the time,” the MAIB says.

A spokesperson for Solong owner Ernst Russ said: “We are aware of the interim investigation report released by the MAIB. Ernst Russ continues to cooperate and assist with the ongoing investigation. Out of respect for the investigation’s proceedings, we will not be commenting further at this time.”

Crowley, which co-owns the Stena Immaculate with Stena Bulk, released a statement: “The report confirmed that the Stena Immaculate’s Second Officer was on watch, beginning a 12-hour lookout shift just before midnight, during which patchy visibility was reported in the area.

“It is important to note that watch requirements for vessels at anchor are different from ships that are underway. The Stena Immaculate was operating in compliance with applicable watch-standing safety regulations and Crowley company policies for an anchored vessel. We are confident that the forthcoming comprehensive investigation report will clarify the facts and circumstances of the incident, demonstrating that Crowley exercised appropriate vigilance.

“At Crowley, safety is rooted in everything we do – from our people, operations and communities we serve. We are extremely proud of the 23 mariners of the Stena Immaculate, whose bravery and operational focus ensured that fire monitors were active in order to provide boundary cooling water. Their actions resulted in limited impact to just one of the 16 cargo holds and the remaining cargo, minimizing impact to the environment and protecting their lives.”