The collision between the bulk carrier Furness Melbourne and the yacht Riga II on 26 May 2012 near Bowen, Queensland emphasises the need for those navigating vessels of all types and sizes to keep a proper lookout and take early and appropriate action to avoid a collision.
Riga II was dismasted and its hull was damaged, but no one was seriously injured. The yacht was towed to Bowen by a volunteer marine rescue vessel. Furness Melbourne was not damaged and after rendering assistance, continued its voyage.
The ATSB found that a proper lookout was not being kept on either vessel in the time leading up to the collision. Furness Melbourne’s lookout had sighted Riga II’s starboard sidelight prior to the collision, however, the officer of the watch made a series of assumptions based on limited information and concluded that the light was from a distant navigation buoy rather than a vessel that represented a risk of collision.
The ATSB found that a proper lookout was not being kept on either vessel in the time leading up to the collision.
Riga II’s watchkeeper did not visually identify Furness Melbourne’s navigation lights in time to make an effective appraisal of the situation, did not set the yacht’s automatic identification system (AIS) unit on a range scale that would provide adequate warning of approaching vessels, and when alerted of the approaching ship, misinterpreted the information.
The ATSB has investigated 39 of the reported 60 collisions that have involved ships and small vessels over the past 25 years. The findings of these investigations invariably include the failure of watchkeepers to keep a proper lookout.
Read the report: Collision between the bulk carrier Furness Melbourne and the private yacht Riga II, north of Bowen, Queensland, on 26 May 2012