N. Sea Collision

[John Arton]

The last time I went through the Suez canal we had just learnt that we were all being made redundant once we arrived in Rotterdam and discharged the cargo of veg oils.The captain got all electrical items that were not bolted down, placed them in the ships office and invited the bum boat guys to make him an offer, much squabbling amongst them then a price arrived at , the chief engineer flogged off all the scrap brass along with a load of stainless steel piping.
Later, anchored in the bitter lakes awaiting the south bound convoy to clear, the pilot came on board and demanded a bottle of whiskey and 400 marlboro. The captain refused so the pilot said, no presents, no move. The captain said o.k and went down to his cabin telling me to call him when the pilot was ready to move. I was mate and sat on the bridge with the pilot storming around and demanding his presents. Once the last south bound vessel had cleared and the north bound vessels started to move, tankers being the lead ships, the captain came on the bridge and asked the pilot if he was ready to move but of course he definitely repeated, no presents, no move.
The captain got on the VHF to the canals control station and told them we weren't moving as the pilot was demanding alcohol and cigarettes before he would carry out his duties.
Now I don't speak Arabic but whatever the shore control screamed at him, all of a sudden a very subdued pilot said captain, up anchor quickly, we go or loose our position. Transit taken with a very sullen pilot speaking only to give helm and engine moves.
Rgds
J.A

[James Curry]

Remember once on a BP LNG carrier the pilot boat came a longside the lowered gangway that had that had the pilot ladder down the side.
The pilot looked at it and demanded the gangway be lowered as he not climb the few steps up the ladder so he could gain access to the gangway. Reason the gangway was not lowered was to prevent possible damage to the gangway by the pilot boat. Eventually he had to climb about 6 rungs to get on the Gangway. Even by doing that he demanded we raise the gangway to deck level. I heard the 3rd mate say to the ETO go and make sure the accomdation lift is out of action. ETO pulled the breaker aand parked the lift at the engineroom control room level. By the time the pilot made it to the bridge via the stairs he was turning purple, served the fat arrogant bastrad right.

[John Arton]

https://maritime-executive.com/artic...vage-continues
The crews from both vessels have been repatriated as salvage of both vessels continues. Meanwhile the Solong captain remains in custody charged with gross negligence and manslaughter.
Rgds
J.A

[Tony Taylor]

Reports this morning say that the Solong will be towed to Aberdeen for salvage

[James Curry]

At whose insistance is the Captain still being held in custody? He may a Russian but does he live in Russia? The fact that the Stena Immaculate was carrying a cargo intended for the US air force ? No doubt pressure has been brought to bare from the Donald & his Chief of defence guy. I suppose one could check on What's App the information might be there
The Captain is obviously considered to be a flight risk, not knowing anything about maritime law is it a normal practice to detain the master when a vessel is involved in a collision when there is a loss of Life.
Surely there would be an entry in the ships log as to who was in the wheel house at the time of the collision. Also would the book containing the masters Standing orders not have been recovered?

[John Pruden]

was the tanker at anchor and swinging around that would give a false site for a lookout port and starbourt light in different potitions?just a thought jp

[Johnny Kieran]

If I remember right, there would be no navigation lights on, just the at anchor lights.

[john mc dermott]

#35 No i do not remember the British Trent collision

[Ivan Cloherty]

At whose insistance is the Captain still being held in custody?

The Captain is obviously considered to be a flight risk, not knowing anything about maritime law is it a normal practice to detain the master when a vessel is involved in a collision when there is a loss of Life.

Surely there would be an entry in the ships log as to who was in the wheel house at the time of the collision. Also would the book containing the masters Standing orders not have been recovered?

Arresting a Master and detaining in custody whether a major or minor incident is involved, seems to be the modern trend, as someone has to be seen to be doing something regardless of the facts. Alas when a Master of a vessel that old notice on the desk becomes reality 'The Buck Stops Here'

It was (don't know about modern times) not normal to put the name of the quartermaster at the wheel into the log book, if it was it would be the same guy for 24 hours for a 10/20 day crossing 'Iron Mike'

For some inexplicable reason the quartermaster of the Costa Concordia received an 18 month prison sentence, poor sod had no authority in the decision making to the course of the vessel, unless of course he fled the bridge as land loomed large in the Bridge window

[j.sabourn]

#77 good answer Johnny, but known theory and fact do not always match up . Some over zealous third mate might of put the navigation lights on before the anchor was off the bottom. Something else to throw into the heap of woe. The master has always been held responsible for any damage to his own and any other vessel , even to oil spillages he may have no physical control over, until of course they get round to the Cheng. If your the driver of a car you are held responsible for any crash until the facts are assimilated . Then we come around to the old breathalyser tests and any alcohol if present is going to be held responsible for a lot if any traces found. The Inquiry whilst not always 100% correct is the final,judgement like it or not. I never knew the helmsman on the Concordia went to gaol Ivan , there must have been some reason for that surely , if he was obeying the helm orders he was innocent , did he maybe have alcohol or drugs in his system ? That’s a new one on me. JS