Collision between general cargo vessel Union Pearl and fishing vessel Sonas

Location: Irish Sea

From:
Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Published
23 January 2015
Vessel type:
Merchant vessel 100 gross tons or over, Fishing vessel
Report type:
Completed preliminary assessment
Date of occurrence:
27 April 2005

Completed PE Summary - Union Pearl/Sonas

A short summary of the accident and action taken:

Fishing Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel name Sonas
Registered Owner/Manager: Privately owned
Port of Registry Stornoway
Flag UK
Type Fish catching/processing
Built 1971
Construction Wood
Length Overall 18.35m
Gross Tonnage 41.47
Date and Time 27/04/05, 19:02
Location of Incident Northern Irish coastal waters
Incident Type Collision
Injuries/Fatalities None
Damage/Pollution Material Damage/None
Merchant Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel name Union Pearl
Port of registry Bridgetown
Flag Barbados
Type General cargo
Built 1990
Classification Society Germanischer Lloyd
Construction Steel
Length Overall 99.73m
Gross Tonnage 2236.00
Date and Time 27/04/05, 19:02
Location of Incident Northern Irish coastal waters
Incident Type Collision
Injuries/Fatalities None
Damage/Pollution None

Synopsis

The loaded general cargo vessel Union Pearl was in collision with the fishing vessel Sonas, which was on passage and returning to port, in good visibility.

Union Pearl had been passing clear of the fishing vessel but had then altered course for navigational reasons. The fishing vessel did not notice that Union Pearl had altered course.

Action taken

The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the owners of the cargo vessel to highlight the following:

  • The proper application of the collision regulations, and

  • The obligation to report a collision to the coastal authority and to remain in the vicinity until sure that the other vessel involved does not require any assistance

The Chief Inspector has also written to the skipper and co-owner of the fishing vessel on the following:

  • The need to keep a vigilant lookout at all times

  • The need to keep a listening watch on Channel 16 VHF

  • The impairment to the visibility from the wheelhouse

Published 23 January 2015

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