N. Sea Collision

Just saw the preliminary MAIB report where-in the Crowley (US Based) managers state that Stena Immaculate followed all safety instructions and the the 2nd Officer had just started his 12 hour lookout shift. I hardly think that a 12 hour lookout shift is conducive to safety or an individuals alertness. Can't tell me that he never ever during that time sat in the bridge chair and inadvertently dozed off; not that it would have made a jot of difference when you are anchored and a 16 knot missile appears out of nowhere, but then again do not modern ships have their radar(s) running 24 hours a day and are they not fitted with collision alarms, I would assume that they are all 'True-Motion' radars these days and not 'Relative Head Up' PPI's so no working out to do to get a true approach. Long time since I was on the bridge, but a 12 hour anchor lookout shift would induce boredom and therefore lack of attention to duties or looking up from your i-pad.

Mind you sitting in the Captain's Chair for even 5 minutes in my day would have got you a very severe rollocking

Hi Ivan
Saying thatthe2nd mate had started a 12 hour watch may have been a stuff up, probably meant to have said that he had started his watch at 12pm ass you know that is the seconds watch.
Des

Hi John A
On your post was also the Inquiry into the sinking of HYMNS Monawaihe on that reef in NZ, first time I have seen anything about the inquiry, looks like a complete stuff up, the Female Captain wasn't on the bridge, arrived just as she was about to hit the reef, said go astern, but the engines where jammed at full ahead, looks more like very very bad maintenance, and lack of training.
Des

#111. Des there was no such thing as a captains chair until late in my sea going career , there was a pilots chair , in case it was a port stipulation for some poor pilots legs. Today is totally different , and have to sit in a chair with all the modern aids to navigation within arms reach and only two watchkeepers that’s a master and mate. They call them specialised vessels, they are especially special in the lack of people on board and shipping being what it is will no doubt if some have their way be manned with robots in the foreseeable future.
We live in a continuously changing world. JS

John.
Just for a laugh I was thinking there should be two at the sink one to wash one to wipe, I wish LoL.
Des

That’s one job I normally get out of as the wife likes to get her hands into hot water due to the painful arthritis she has in her hands and I agree with her so also the drying up,as say she needs the exercise. I’m very considerate as I keep telling her. Cheers JS

As the Stena Immaculate was a USA Flagged vessel I would be surprised in US Maritime law she would have had, Master , Mate 2nd mate and a 3rd mate. If that is the case why 12 hour anchor watches? Only thing I can think of it was an onboard agreement between 2nd&3rd mates so one or other could get a run up the road when they got alongside? As the collision happened around 10am the mate on the bridge was not that long into his watch or perhaps he was 10 hours into the watch. How anyone could stand on a bridge looking out the window or stare at a radar for 12 hours, jaysus they must be brain dead.
When was she down to berth? Perhaps one of the junior mates were covering for the C/Off who would be doing the cargo watch/discharge.

The Stena immaculate is now on its way to great Yarmouth, under tow I believe. Don't know why it's going there as I don't know if there is any repair facilities there or if even the port has berths that can accommodate her. All I know about the place is that, apart from being a holiday place, is that it is a support base for oil and gas rigs situated in the north sea.
Rgds
J.A

I worked out of Great Yarmouth for a couple of months , can’t recollect any Drydocks there, although there maybe down river closer to the entrance ? Which is the more likely place for them . JS

Since you were last here John we have an outer harbour the most likely place to dock. fellows ship repairs is mainly for windfarm HSC. I will know shortly as my Son is waiting for her in his truck with a 60ft gangway. all the best R.