Dover Strait Collision Caused by Over-Reliance on AIS

A collision between the multi-purpose cargo ship Rickmers Dubai with the un-manned crane barge Walcon Wizard which was being towed by the tug Kingston in the south-west traffic lane of the Dover Strait TSS was caused by Rickmers Dubai’s officer on watch (OOW) not keeping a visual lookout and monitoring the radar, but rather relying solely on AIS information, the U.K. Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has found in its investigation.

Neither Kingston nor Walcon Wizard were transmitting the AIS information for collision avoidance.

The January 11 accident occurred as Rickmers Dubai was overtaking the tug and its tow. Immediately following the collision, the towline caught on Rickmers Dubai and Kingston was towed stern-first through the water until the towline ran free from its tow winch. Walcon Wizard was badly damaged and Rickmers Dubai’s hull was punctured above the waterline. The hydraulic system for the tow winch on board Kingston was also damaged. There were no injuries and there was no pollution.

The investigation also revealed that the OOW was relatively inactive throughout his watch and did not take note of safety broadcasts issued by Dover Coastguard which included information regardingthe position and movement of Kingston and its tow. The towline secured to the winch on board Kingston could not be released from the wheelhouse, highlighting ambiguities in the regulatory requirements for the release of towlines, MAIB states in the report.

Press Release; Image: MAIB