2012 Ship Collision Was Result of Not Paying Attention

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) examines and investigates all types of marine accidents to or onboard UK ships worldwide, and other ships in UK territorial waters.

They have just released the accident investigation report into the March 2012 collision of the Seagate and Timor Stream that occured 24 nautical miles north of the Dominican Republic.

The key issues found include: 

Seagate and Timor Stream collided because neither vessel’s officer of the watch was paying enough attention to keeping a safe navigational watch.

Seagate’s officer of the watch saw Timor Stream but assumed it was overtaking. He did not take any bearings, or plot the vessel on his radar.

Timor Stream’s officer of the watch did not see Seagateuntil moments before the collision.

Both vessels were severely damaged and there was some pollution. Seagate was subsequently declared to be a total constructive loss. No one was injured.

The complete report can be found HERE.