Collision between ro-ro freight ferry Petunia Seaways and historic motor launch Peggotty

Location: River Humber, England.

From:
Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Published
15 February 2017
Vessel type:
Merchant vessel 100 gross tons or over, Recreational craft - power
Report type:
Investigation report
Date of occurrence:
19 May 2016

Accident Investigation Report 4/2017

Investigation report into marine accident including what happened and safety lessons learned:

MAIB investigation report 4-2017: Petunia Seaways and Peggotty

Peggotty following collision (image courtesy of RNLI Cleethorpes)

Peggotty following the collision - Image courtesy of RNLI Cleethorpes

Summary

On 16 May 2016, the Danish registered ro-ro freight ferry Petunia Seaways and the historic motor launch Peggotty collided on the River Humber while in dense fog. The motor launch was severely damaged and began to take on water. As a result of Peggotty’s skipper’s mayday call, the crew of a local pilot launch were able to reach the stricken launch and remove the crew before it sank. There were no injuries and no significant pollution. Although Peggotty was visible on both VTS Humber and Petunia Seaways’ radar displays, neither acquired nor plotted the target. The ro-ro ferry’s bridge team were unaware of the collision until they had been informed by VTS Humber after they had left the river. Peggotty’s skipper, an off-duty marine pilot, had not conducted the voyage in accordance with best maritime practice and the motor launch’s seaworthiness was affected by a number of factors.

Safety lessons

  • Petunia Seaways’ bridge team did not proceed at a speed adapted for the prevailing weather conditions and did not sound a regular sound signal
  • Peggotty’s skipper, an off-duty pilot, did not adequately prepare for the short voyage to Hull. Specifically:
    • the vessel’s navigational lights were not fully operational and were not displayed as required by the COLREGs
    • the radar was not used to ascertain the launch’s position or traffic flow or density
    • the planning for the monitoring of the passage was insufficient and relied on an untested method
    • the intended voyage was not reviewed or reassessed despite the dense fog
  • the VTS officer did not appreciate the developing situation although both vessels were visible on his radar display

Recommendations

In view of the actions already taken, no recommendations have been made.

Published 15 February 2017

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