Collision between container vessels Hyundai Discovery and ACX Hibiscus
Location: Approaches to the eastern Singapore Strait Traffic Separation Scheme
Accident Investigation Report 15/2013
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken, and recommendations:
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Summary
At 0756 local time on 11 December 2011, mv Hyundai Discovery and mv ACX Hibiscus collided in the approaches to the eastern Singapore Strait TSS.
We led a joint investigation into the accident with the Panama Maritime Authority.
Safety issues
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both vessels were operating in restricted visibility, but neither vessel’s bridge watchkeepers had taken the precautions required by the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (as amended).
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the Panama Maritime Authority investigators concluded that the behaviour of ACX Hibiscus’s chief officer was adversely affected by fatigue
Recommendations
Hyundai Discovery’s managers have delivered training to share the lessons learnt from this accident with the bridge officers in their fleet. They have been recommended (2013/127) to further develop their safety management and training systems to improve inter alia, their watchkeeping officers’ understanding of collision avoidance methods and conduct in restricted visibility.
We have also recommended (2013/126 and 2013/125 respectively) that the Panama Maritime Authority takes appropriate action with the owners of ACX Hibiscus to address the underlying causes of ineffective watchkeeping on vessels in their fleet, and to ensure it is compliant with the mandatory standards of the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code.
This report was published on 19 June 2013.