Close-quarters situation between feeder container vessel Mathilda and gill netter Lady Hamilton of Helford

Location: 7 miles east-south-east of Lizard Point, Cornwall, England.

• From: Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 23 January 2015

• Vessel type: Merchant vessel 100 gross tons or over, Fishing vessel
• Report type: Investigation report
• Date of occurrence: 28 June 2001

Accident Investigation Report 11/2002

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:

lady-hamilton.pdf (155.69 kb)

Summary

On 28 June 2001, a near-miss incident involving feeder container vessel Mathilda and fishing vessel lady Hamilton of Helford occurred 7 miles east-south-east of Lizard Point, Cornwall.

Safety Issues

• Mathilda’s master failing to make a full appraisal of the situation
• the lack of a second person on the bridge to act as a dedicated lookout
• the glare from the sun

Recommendations

Mathilda’s owner has been recommended to employ an additional person to act as a dedicated lookout on the bridge, when the officer of the watch is unable to give his full attention to that duty. A recommendation has also been made to equip the vessel with a means of reducing glare from the sun to those on the bridge.

This report was published in March 2002.

Published 23 January 2015