Lessons from a Maritime Collision: The Importance of Communication and Coordination at Sea

Maritime voyages are among the oldest and most complex undertakings in human history. While technology has made navigation and ship management more efficient, incidents at sea still occur due to human factors like miscommunication and inadequate coordination. A real-life example of this is the maritime collision between a tanker and a container ship near a port channel, which highlights the dangers of lax communication and failure in situational awareness.

This blog post re-creates and analyzes the events leading up to the collision, explores critical lessons that can be learned, and underscores just how essential proper communication, coordination, and planning are in preventing accidents at sea.

The Events Leading Up to the Collision

This incident occurred as an outbound container vessel navigated its way out of a port under the guidance of a pilot. A tanker was simultaneously approaching the port to pick up the same pilot near the entrance of the buoyed channel. Both the container ship and tanker had personnel on their bridges, including Masters, officers, and helmsmen steering manually.

A Series of Misjudgments

  1. Miscommunication at the Port Control Level:

The port control authority was engaged in an unrelated conversation with a tug, instructing it to cross 1 nautical mile astern of the tanker. The tanker’s Master overheard this communication and mistakenly assumed it was related to the outbound container ship. Based on this assumption, the tanker’s Master expected the container ship to alter its course to port after clearing the channel.

  1. Assumptions and Lack of Coordination:

Meanwhile, the container ship’s pilot and Master discussed disembarkation but did not effectively plan the vessel’s passing arrangement with the tanker. The tanker appeared on the container ship’s radar, but it was not acquired as an Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA) target. This critical oversight left the Master of the container vessel reliant on visual judgment, estimating that passing the tanker on its port side at 1.5 cables was safe.

  1. Pilot Disembarkation:

After disembarking from the container ship, the pilot boarded the launch and made his way to the tanker. During this transitional phase, critical missteps in monitoring both vessels’ movements and communicating their intentions were made.

  1. The Collision:

The tanker’s Master became concerned when the container vessel, contrary to his expectations, maintained its course rather than altering to port. To confirm his assumptions, he contacted the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), but by then, it was too late. The two vessels, both near the centerline and less than 4 cables apart, collided bow to bow.

Key Findings from the Official Investigation

The ensuing investigation revealed several critical errors and oversights that contributed to the collision, including:

  1. Over-Reliance on Scant Information:

The tanker’s Master relied heavily on partial, overheard communications, which led to incorrect assumptions about the intentions of the container ship.

  1. Failure to Maintain Proper Lookouts:

The container vessel’s crew failed to adequately monitor the tanker’s movements using available tools like radar and ARPA, relying instead on visual approximations.

  1. Ambiguity in Passing Arrangements:

Crucially, there was no agreed-upon plan for how the two vessels would pass each other. This lack of clarity proved disastrous.

  1. Ineffectiveness of Pilotage and Port Control:

The pilot, who was responsible for guiding both vessels, did not effectively coordinate or communicate the passing arrangements. Additionally, port control measures failed to de-conflict the vessels’ movements.

  1. Gaps in Situational Awareness:

Both Masters lacked a complete understanding of the unfolding scenario, leading to flawed decision-making.

Lessons Learned from the Incident

This collision underscores the need for a comprehensive approach to communication, situational awareness, and coordination. Here are four lessons maritime professionals and organizations can take away:

1. Prioritize Clear Communication

Miscommunication or lack of communication remains one of the leading causes of maritime accidents. All parties involved—from port authorities to ship Masters and pilots—must prioritize clarity in their exchanges. Important instructions and plans should be repeated and confirmed through relevant communication channels like VHF radio.

2. Use Technology Effectively

Modern vessels are equipped with advanced radar, ARPA systems, and AIS tracking capabilities. These tools provide vital data to avoid collisions. The failure to acquire the tanker as an ARPA target in this case left the container ship’s crew with incomplete information. Utilizing these technologies fully could have averted the accident.

3. Establish Agreed Passing Plans

Before critical maneuvers, all vessels must have a mutually agreed passing plan. Guidance from pilots and port authorities should align with these plans to prevent ambiguity or conflicting expectations between vessels.

4. Enhance Situational Awareness

Masters and crew must actively monitor their surroundings and avoid making assumptions based on incomplete or unrelated information. Regular training in situational awareness can help ensure that crew members make informed decisions during high-stakes situations.

Building a Safer Maritime Industry

This unfortunate collision serves as a wake-up call for the maritime industry. It highlights how human factors like communication breakdowns and unclear plans can negate the benefits of even the most advanced equipment. To build safer maritime operations:

  • Invest in Training:

Crew members should receive comprehensive training in communication protocols, the use of navigation tools, and emergency response techniques.

  • Standardize Procedures:

Establish internationally accepted guidelines and procedures for passing arrangements and pilot transfers to reduce ambiguity.

  • Leverage Data for Risk Mitigation:

Utilize data from past incidents to identify and rectify systemic issues in maritime operations.

When these measures are implemented consistently, the maritime industry can significantly reduce the risk of collisions, safeguarding lives, cargo, and the environment.

Steer Clear of the Unknown with Proper Communication

Ultimately, this incident underscores how small lapses in protocol can lead to significant consequences. Effective communication, robust planning, and diligent use of technology remain the cornerstones of safe maritime operations. By learning from incidents like this one, the maritime industry can chart a course toward greater safety and reliability.