Poor lookout to blame for collision

The Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) has released its report into the collision between two fishing vessels in Golden Bay in November 2004.

The report has found that the collision between Louisa and Emma J could have been avoided had both two skippers taken proper action to identify each other while in heavy fog.

Louisa was steaming to a scallop fishing area and although the skipper was at the wheel, a proper lookout by all available means, including radar, was not being maintained as required by Maritime Rule Part 22.5

Contrary to Maritime Rule Part 22 and good seamanship, the skipper of Emma J was only checking his position and the presence of other vessels in the area occasionally, while he and his crew sorted scallops at the stern of their vessel.

The report into the collision found that both skippers failed to take into account the poor visibility and the high number of other vessels in the immediate area.

MSA has recommended that both skippers attend a restricted radar course which will give them additional training on radar use and collision prevention in restricted visibility.