Collision between liquid gas carrier Gas Monarch and sailing yacht Whispa
Location: 6 miles east south east of Lowestoft, England.
Accident Investigation Report 25/2007
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:
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Summary
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier, Gas Monarch, collided with the sailing yacht, Whispa, in dense fog 6 miles ESE of Lowestoft on the evening of 16 April 2007. There were no physical injuries on either vessel. There was no damage to Gas Monarch and initial structural damage to Whispa was relatively minor. However, the damage to the yacht worsened due to progressive flooding as she was towed to Lowestoft by a lifeboat.
Safety Issues
- a failure by both vessels to abide by collision avoidance regulations
- deteriorated performance and accuracy of both vessels’ radars
- lack of experience by Gas Monarch’s third officer, compounded by lack of support from the master
- inappropriate use of radar equipment by both vessels
Recommendations
Recommendations have been made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Comité International Radio-Maritime1 (CIRM) regarding small commercial vessel training requirements and radar training.
This report was published on 21 December 2007.