Maritime Accident News

Undermanned bridge watch blamed for deaths of 11 fishermen

An undermanned bridge was faulted for a March collision that killed 11 fishermen in the East China Sea, a UK investigation agency said.

The Marine Accident Investigation Bureau’s report on the collision between the 69,207 ton cargo ship Cosco Hong Kong and the fish transporter Zhe Ling Yu Yun 135 ruled that the accident was avoidable.

The MAIB blamed the Cosco’s officer of the watch (OOW) for sending the able seaman away from the bridge just before the collision occurred in the early morning hours of March 6. That meant the OOW was the only lookout even though the weather was poor, visibility was reduced and he also had to steer the ship in a coastal area filled with navigation hazards and many fishing vessels.

“Had the lookout remained on the bridge, it is possible that he would have seen the approach of Zhe Ling Yu Yun 135 in sufficient time for avoiding action to be taken,” the MAIB report concluded.

According to the report, at 0218, the second officer was steering to avoid a vessel that popped up on the radar screen. After feeling a vibration, he called the captain, who had the crew standby for one hour to determine if there had been a collision. No evidence was found and the Cosco Hong Kong resumed its voyage to Shanghai.

But at 2021, Zhe Ling Yu Yun 135 was reported missing, and a full search and rescue mission was launched. The fish transporter was later found on the seabed, with its entire crew presumed drowned.

Read More About Undermanned bridge watch blamed for deaths of 11 fishermen...

back to top