MAIB Report: Collision between fishing vessel Achieve and general cargo ship Talis, Tynemouth, 8 November 2020.

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.

The key safety issues identified were:

• Neither crew was keeping an effective lookout in restricted visibility and neither vessel was making the required sound signals
• The fishing vessel’s wheelhouse was unmanned at the time of the collision and the vessel was not fitted with a radar reflector
• Ineffective use was made of radar by both vessels which could have provided early warning of the risk of collision
• The action taken to avoid the collision was made too late

  Safety recommendations:

  Achieve’s owner/skipper has been recommended to put procedures in place to require a proper lookout is kept at all times. A recommendation 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.