Communication Problems Behind CMA CGM Florida Collision

At 0033 on 19 March 2013, CMA CGM Florida and Chou Shan collided in the East China Sea resulting in both vessels sustaining serious damage, and approximately 610 tonnes of heavy fuel oil being spilled from CMA CGM Florida. There were no injuries. The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch has now released details of its investigation into the incident. The key safety issues identified were:

1. VHF radio was inappropriately used by both vessels for collision avoidance to negotiate a maneuver that was contrary to the COLREGS.
2. VHF radio communications were conducted in Mandarin and were not fully translated into English to enable the OOW on one vessel to understand what had been tacitly agreed.
3. Standing orders on both vessels lacked specific metrics for when the master was to be called.
4. Use of AIS priority and the multiple AIS target list encouraged the OOW on one vessel to focus on those vessels with the smallest CPA (closest point of approach) or range at the expense of maintaining a more strategic overview of the traffic situation.

Read the full report here.