Collision between product tanker Bro Gratitude and fishing vessel Lady Matilda

Location: 5 miles off the Cornish coast, near Falmouth, England.

Completed PE Summary: Bro Gratitude/Lady Matilda

A short summary of the accident and action taken:

Merchant Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name Bro Gratitude
Registered Owner and Manager: Rederij Bro Gratitude
Port of Registry: Delft
Flag: Netherlands
Type: Product tanker
Built: 2003
Classification Society: Bureau Veritas
Construction: Steel
Length Overall: 114.95m
Gross Tonnage: 7,559
Date 26/10/2006
Location of Incident: 5 miles off the Cornish coast, near Falmouth.
Incident Type: Collision
Persons Onboard: 10
Injuries/Fatalities: None
Damage/Pollution: Minor cosmetic only/None
Fishing Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name Lady Matilda
Registered Owner and Manager: Mr N. Rodgers
Port of Registry: Penzance
Flag: UK
Type: Fishing vessel
Built: 1982
Construction: GRP
Length Overall: 9.20m
Gross Tonnage: 5.67
Persons Onboard: 1
Injuries/Fatalities: None
Damage/Pollution: Minor damage to the prow/None

Synopsis

At 1145 UTC the fishing vessel Lady Matilda was involved in a collision with the coastal tanker Bro Gratitude. The collision took place about five miles off the Cornish coast near Falmouth and neither of the vessels were found to be keeping a proper lookout.

The weather at the time was fair with good visibility.

As a result of the collision the fishing vessel suffered minor damage and there was paint damage to the hull of the tanker.

Action taken

The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to :-

1.The owners of the tanker strongly advising that they should take appropriate action to strengthen bridge team procedures to, as far as possible, ensure that:

  • Masters actively monitor the performance of junior officers;

  • A designated lookout is posted strictly in accordance with the requirements of STCW;

  • Company and master’s standing orders are stringently adhered to;

  • Bridge watchkeepers use all available means to detect potentially dangerous situations at an early stage.

2.The owner of the fishing vessel strongly advising him to:

Familiarise himself with the relevant provisions of the Collision Regulations and, in future, to comply with all the relevant rules including those associated with the keeping of an efficient lookout.


Published 23 January 2015