C2/2011M F/V WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA UK 33 (NLD) and M/V BIRKA TRANSPORTER (FIN), Collision off the Netherlands on 14 February 2011

The Finnish-flagged BIRKA TRANSPORTER was on her voyage from Sweden to Amsterdam on 14 February 2011 when she collided with the Dutch trawler WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA in the Vlieland Traffic Separation Scheme in international waters off the Netherlands. The collision took place at approximately 4:00 UTC. WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA had started her voyage from the port of Den Helder, the Netherlands at 1.35 UTC. She was on her way to fishing grounds in the North Sea.

The Chief Officer of BIRKA TRANSPORTER took the watch at 3:00 UTC. The weather and visibility were good. The lookout was released from lookout duties four minutes after the watch change, and the OOW continued the voyage alone on the bridge. WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA was detected on the radar screen for the first time at 3:25:30 UTC. At 3:50:50, the dangerous target alarm on the ARPA radar was activated, showing that WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA was approaching from the left side at a distance of 2.8 NM in a bearing of 193 degrees. BIRKA TRANSPORTER’s course was approximately 226 degrees and WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA’s 300 degrees. WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA was not fishing at that time and was to be considered a normal sea-going vessel with duty to give way to a vessel approaching from the right side.

When WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA was about to pass ahead of BIRKA TRANSPORTER, the OOW noticed that there was smoke coming out from the funnel of the fishing boat, which indicated according to the OOW that the vessel was stopping. The OOW estimated that it would be a close quarter situation and decided to slow down by taking the pitch levers to zero and to turn the rudder manually to starboard. Shortly after this, the OOW made a crash stop by putting the engines full astern. BIRKA TRANSPORTER started to turn to the port. Although BIRKA TRANSPORTER’s heading began to change slightly before the impact took place its course over ground did not change discernibly. The collision took place at 4:00:43 UTC, and BIRKA TRANSPORTER’s bow hit the fishing vessel’s forward part on the port side.

The direct cause of the accident was the inadequate, unclear and late collision avoidance actions by the WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA and BIRKA TRANSPORTER’s late and unsuccessful attempt to avoid collision. Contributing factors were the possible fatigue of the OOW and the absence of a lookout on BIRKA TRANSPORTER as well as the possible lack of lookout onboard WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA due to the rigging activities of the fishing equipment.

The investigation was mainly based on information received from the owners of BIRKA TRANSPORTER, the vessel’s S-VDR and the maritime declaration. Only few information concerning WILLEMPJE HOEKSTRA was received and her skipper refused to co-operate with the investigation.

Both vessels failed in this case to comply with the COLREGS, and as a result of complacency, two well-equipped and modern ships collided in conditions of good visibility, even though each knew a risk of collision existed. No additional lookout was present in the wheelhouse of BIRKA TRANSPORTER.

The owner of BIRKA TRANSPORTER provided information about actions taken after the collision. The Safety Investigation Authority (SIAF) has issued a safety recommendation to The Finnish Transport Safety Agency, Trafi. It is recommended for Trafi to ensure, that the training on bridge resource management given to deck officers becomes permanent practice onboard the Finnish vessels.

C2/2011M Report (pdf, 1.52 Mt)