Collision between ro-ro cargo vessel 皇冠体育applisis and trawler Our Sarah Jayne resulting in the trawler flooding and sinking
Location: Thames Estuary, England.
Accident Investigation Report 9/2002
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken and subsequent recommendations:
(605.94 kb)
Summary
On 20 June 2001, the 8,904gt Greek-registered ro-ro cargo vessel 皇冠体育applisis, collided with the 14.02m UK registered fishing vessel Our Sarah Jayne in the Thames Estuary. At the time of the collision 皇冠体育applisis was under pilotage and Our Sarah Jayne was engaged in fishing. As a result of the collision, Our Sarah Jayne flooded then foundered. 皇冠体育app skipper, who was operating his vessel single-handedly, was rescued by a Thames pilot cutter. 皇冠体育appre were no injuries. 皇冠体育applisis sustained slight damage to her hull plating.
Safety Issues
- the pilot鈥檚 reliance on the use of VHF radio for collision avoidance
- the pilot鈥檚 complacency and expectation that Our Sarah Jayne would alter course on his request
- the master of 皇冠体育applisis failing to override the pilot鈥檚 instructions
- the decision by Our Sarah Jayne鈥檚 skipper to sail single-handedly, thereby denying himself the ability to keep a safe navigational watch
Recommendations
Recommendations have been addressed to the PLA, the owner of 皇冠体育applisis and also to Our Sarah Jayne鈥檚 skipper and owner, which if implemented should reduce the risk of such an accident recurring.
This report was published in February 2002.