Collision between trawler Aquarius and oil tanker Alfa Germania

Location: Off Blyth, England.

Completed PE Summary: Aquarius/Alfa Germania

A short summary of the accident and action taken:

Fishing Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name Aquarius
Registered Owner/Manager Privately owned
Port of Registry Blyth
Flag UK
Type Fish Catching/processing
Built 1980
Construction Steel
Length Overall 13.71m
Gross Tonnage 29.44
Date/Time 16/01/05, 1730
Location of Incident Coastal Waters
Incident Type Collision
Injuries/Fatalities None
Damage/Pollution Minor Damage/None
Merchant Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name Alfa Germania
Registered Owner/Manager Lundqvist Rederierna Ab
Port of Registry Nassau
Flag Bahamas
Type Oil tanker
Built 1998
Classification Society Norske Veritas
Length Overall 248m
Gross Tonnage 56115
Date/Time 16/01/05, 1730
Location of Incident Coastal Waters
Incident Type Collision
Injuries/Fatalities None
Damage/Pollution None

Synopsis

A fishing vessel returning to port and a large tanker were in collision in good visibility. There was some damage to the fishing vessel but no injuries or pollution.

Action taken

The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to:

  • The skipper and co-owner of the fishing vessel regarding keeping a lookout at all times in the wheelhouse when at sea; using a radar range scale to give early warning of approaching vessels and ensuring that the watchkeeper is aware of the responsibility to keep a safe watch.

  • The chief officer of the tanker to remind him of Rule 34(d) of the Collision Regulations and that he could have taken earlier action to avoid the collision.

  • The MCA supporting the proposals for fishing vessel watchkeepers to be trained and certified.

All safety issues will be raised in a MAIB Safety Digest and in a Fishing Accident flyer.


Updates to this page

Published 23 January 2015