Collision between sailing yacht Ibis and container vessel OOCL Malaysia resulting in Ibis sinking

Location: Port of Southampton, England.

Completed PE Summary: OOCL Malaysia/Ibis

A short summary of the accident and action taken:

Merchant Vessel/Accident Details
Vessel Name OOCL Malaysia
Registered Owner and Manager ER Schiffahrt GmbH and Cie KG
Port of Registry Monrovia
Flag Liberia
Type Dry cargo container
Built: 2000
Classification Society Germanischer Lloyd
Construction Steel
Length Overall 277m
Gross Tonnage 66283
Date/Time 02/06/05, 1041
Location of Incident Southampton Port
Incident Type Collision
Injuries/Fatalities None
Damage/Pollution None
Recreational Craft/Accident Details
Vessel Name Ibis
Registered Owner Privately owned
Flag UK
Type Yacht
Built 1898
Construction Wood
Length Overall 6.7m
Gross Tonnage 0.01
Date/Time 02/06/05, 1041
Persons Onboard 1 crew
Injuries/Fatalities None
Damage/Pollution Ship lost

Synopsis

OOCL Malaysia departed the port of Southampton with a patrol launch in attendance. Whilst entering the Western Approach Channel the pilot sighted a yacht (Ibis) in the Thorn Channel precautionary area, which was about to penetrate the moving prohibited zone 1000 metres ahead of Malaysia. He dispatched the launch to the Ibis to advise her to continue her southerly course. Unfortunately the skipper decided to tack and lost the wind. As Malaysia approached he jumped into the water and was rescued by the launch. The Ibis passed down the side of Malaysia , filled with water and foundered.

Action taken

The Chief Inspector wrote to the skipper of Ibis advising him of:

  • the importance of ensuring that adequate, appropriately serviced, safety and communication equipment is carried onboard.

  • the need to ensure that he is fully familiar with his vessel’s handling characteristics before entering busy shipping areas.

The Chief Inspector also wrote to Associated British Ports at Southampton regarding:

  • procedures for the operation of patrol launches in support of large ship escort duties.

  • methods of improving communications between the patrol launch and small vessels.


Updates to this page

Published 23 January 2015