Close-quarters situation between bulk carrier Barbara and product tanker Maersk Borneo
Location: Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme off the south east coast of England.
Completed PE Summary: Barbara & Maersk Borneo
A short summary of the accident and action taken:
| Merchant Vessel 1/Accident Details | |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Barbara |
| Manager | MST Mineralien Schifffahrt Spedition und Transport GmbH |
| Ship Owner | Barbara GmbH & Co.KG |
| Port of Registry | Nassau |
| Flag | Bahamas |
| Classification Society | NKK |
| Type | Bulk Carrier |
| Built | 1994 |
| Construction | Steel |
| Length Overall | 180.80m |
| Gross Tonnage | 22,147 |
| Date/Time | 10/07/2008, 0438 (UTC) |
| Location of Incident | Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme |
| Incident Type | Hazardous Incident |
| Persons Onboard | 25 crew |
| Injuries/Fatalities | None |
| Damage/Pollution | None |
| Merchant Vessel 2/Accident Details | |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Maersk Borneo |
| Registered Owner and Manager | Moller AP |
| Port of Registry | Singapore |
| Flag | Singapore |
| Classification Society | Lloyd’s Register |
| Type | Product/Chemical Tanker |
| Built | 2007 |
| Construction | Steel |
| Length Overall | 175.26m |
| Gross Tonnage | 19,758 |
| Date/Time: | 10/07/2008, 0438 (UTC) |
| Location of Incident | Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme |
| Incident Type | Hazardous Incident |
| Persons Onboard | 25 crew |
| Injuries/Fatalities | None |
| Damage/Pollution | None |
Synopsis
At 0438 UTC on 10 July 2008 a close-quarters situation occurred between the bulk carrier Barbara and the product tanker Maersk Borneo in the Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme in good visibility. The incident occurred outside UK territorial waters.
Maersk Borneo was following the south-west traffic lane on a course of 233º at a speed of 12 knots and had a cargo of ammonium nitrate. Barbara had departed Antwerp in ballast for passage to Barcarena, Brazil, and was joining the south-west traffic lane from the east on a course of 298º, also at a speed of 12 knots. As the vessels closed, the OOW on board Maersk Borneo identified that there was a risk of collision and that Barbara was the ‘give way’ vessel.
When Barbara did not take any action, the OOW on board Maersk Borneo attempted to call the approaching vessel several times on various VHF radio channels; no replies were heard. The vessel was also called by CNIS Dover, which was monitoring the situation, but again there was no response. The vessels continued to close so the OOW on board Maersk Borneo altered course broadly to starboard, eventually completing a 360º turn to avoid a collision.
Action taken
The hazardous incident has been investigated by the Bahamas Maritime Authority. Information regarding its findings can be obtained from: casualty@bahamasmaritime.com.
Published: October 2008