ECDIS Reliance Implicated in Collision

MAIB has released its report on the investigation into the collision of Rickmers Dubai with the crane barge Walcon Wizard being towed by the tug Kingston in the south-west lane of the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme on 11 January 2014.

Following the collision, Kingston was pulled stern-first through the water until the towline ran free from its tow winch. Walcon Wizard was badly damaged and Rickmers Dubai’s hull was punctured above the waterline. The hydraulic system for the tow winch on board Kingston was also damaged. There were no injuries and there was no pollution. 

The accident occurred while the cargo ship was overtaking the tug and tow. The investigation established that Rickmers Dubai’s officer of the watch:
• Had not kept a proper lookout. He did not see Walcon Wizard when he altered course to avoid Kingston, which was less than two cables ahead.
• Relied solely on AIS information displayed on the ECDIS as an aid to collision avoidance. 
• Was relatively inactive during his watch. He was alone on the bridge, he did not monitor the radar and the bridge navigational watch alarm system was switched off.
• Did not take note of the content of two safety broadcasts issued by Dover Coastguard advising of Kingston and Walcon Wizard’s position in the south-west traffic lane.

The investigation also identified that:
• Neither Kingston nor Walcon Wizard were transmitting on AIS.
• Kingston’s towing and stern lights were probably obscured by a floodlight.
• A safety broadcast, which was scheduled for 0140 and would have included the position and movement of Kingston and Walcon Wizard, was not issued by Dover Coastguard because the operator was busy dealing with other matters and had been on watch for almost four hours.
• The towline was secured to the tow winch on board Kingston and could not be released quickly or from the wheelhouse.
• The requirements for the release of towlines from towing winches are ambiguous.

Recommendations have been made to the ships’ managers designed to improve the navigational and operational safety of their fleets. A recommendation has also been made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency that is intended to improve the effectiveness of the safety messages broadcast by Dover Coastguard.

The full report is available here.