Collision between prawn trawler Achieve and general cargo vessel Talis and subsequent sinking of Achieve
Location: Off Tynemouth, England.
Accident Investigation Report 14/2021
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and recommendations:
Photograph courtesy of RNLI (Tynemouth)
Summary
On 8 November 2020, the UK registered fishing vessel Achieve (HL257) collided with the Panama registered general cargo ship Talis in fog. The fishing vessel was severely damaged and sank while being towed to port. Neither vessel was keeping an effective lookout in the restricted visibility and Achieve’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision.
Safety Issues
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neither crew was keeping an effective lookout in restricted visibility and neither vessel was making the required sound signals
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the fishing vessel’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision and the vessel was not fitted with a radar reflector
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ineffective use was made of radar by both vessels which could have provided early warning of the risk of collision
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the action taken to avoid the collision was made too late
Recommendations
The owner/skipper, who has since bought a half share in a new boat and fishes part time with its co-owner, has been recommended (2021/132) to put procedures in place to require a proper lookout is kept at all times. A recommendation (2021/133) has been made to Talis’s owner to remind its masters and officers of their obligations under the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972, as amended.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting a number of the safety lessons was produced for this report.