Collision in North Sea : MV Verity and MV Polsie Incident

 


Introduction:

On the fateful morning of October 24, 2023, a tragic collision occurred in the German Bight, 12 nautical miles southwest of the island of Helgoland. Two vessels, the MV Verity and the MV Polsie, found themselves in a dangerous situation that resulted in a collision, leaving a trail of destruction and human loss in its wake. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the significance of timely and appropriate actions to prevent such unfortunate events.

 

The Vessels:


 

MV Verity

 

IMO: 9229178

Flag: Isle of Man, UK

Deadweight Tonnage (DWT): 3,360

Type: General Cargo

Length: 91 meters

Breadth: 14 meters

Total crew onboard: 7




MV Polsie

 

IMO: 9488097

Flag: Bahamas

DWT: 38,069 T

Type: Bulk Carrier

Length: 190 meters

Breadth: 28 meters

The Incident:

At 0200 UTC on October 24, 2023, MV Verity was on a northwesterly course, while MV Polsie was on a westerly course. Both vessels were in a pure crossing situation, a scenario regulated by COLREGs Rule 15. In this situation, the vessel with the other on its starboard side (MV Polsie) is the stand-on vessel, and the other vessel (MV Verity) is the give-way vessel.

 

However, at 0248 UTC, MV Polsie altered her course to the port side, changing from a westerly course to a southwesterly course. This action was a deviation from the COLREGs, as stand-on vessels are not supposed to alter their course to port if a risk of collision exists. MV Polsie's course alteration was a critical turning point in this incident.

 

By 0253 UTC, MV Verity initiated a course alteration towards the northeasterly direction, while MV Polsie continued on her southwesterly course. This change in MV Verity's course was a corrective action taken after the close-quarter situation had already developed.

 

Tragically, the collision occurred at approximately 0256 UTC, roughly 12 nautical miles from the island of Helgoland. This incident resulted in the loss of seven crew members from MV Verity, with two crew members rescued without injury, and four crew members still missing.


 

Lessons Learned:

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to COLREGs and maintaining a clear understanding of right-of-way situations at sea. It also emphasizes the significance of timely and appropriate actions in response to impending collision risks.

 

The principle of the earliest assessment and earliest appropriate action is a cornerstone of safe navigation and collision avoidance. In a crossing situation, the stand-on vessel should not alter its course to port, and the give-way vessel should take necessary action to avoid a collision. These rules exist to prevent accidents and protect lives at sea.

 

Conclusion:

The collision of MV Verity and MV Polsie on October 24, 2023, in the German Bight was a tragic and avoidable incident. It underscores the vital importance of adhering to COLREGs and prompt, appropriate actions to prevent collisions. The loss of crew members in this incident is a sobering reminder of the consequences when these rules are not followed. The maritime industry should use this incident as an opportunity to reiterate the importance of safe navigation practices, ensuring the safety of crew members and vessels navigating the world's waters.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ADVISED TO AVOID RED SEA FOR 72 HOURS

Image
  In the aftermath of recent military strikes conducted by U.S. and UK forces against Houthi rebels in Yemen, a comprehensive maritime advisory has been issued, strongly recommending all ships to avoid the Red Sea. This precautionary measure is in response to heightened tensions and explicit threats of retaliation from the Houthi faction.   President Joe Biden, in an official statement, underscored the imperative to safeguard freedom of navigation in one of the world's vital waterways. The military strikes specifically targeted key Houthi installations, prompting swift and resolute responses from the rebel group, who have pledged retaliation against what they perceive as "blatant aggression" by the U.S. and UK.   The UK Maritime Trade Organizations have reported an ongoing investigation into an incident southeast of Aden, Yemen, leading to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) advising ships to steer clear of the Bab al-Mandab area. This cautionary directive has been
Read more

MOORING SOLAS CH II/1 RECENT AMENDMENTS 1 JAN 2024

Image
 SDMBL AND OTHER ALL MOORING FACTORS EXPLAINED Refer:  MSC resolution 474 (102) MSC.1  circ 1169 // 1170// 1175 MEG 4 guidelines                  MOORING UPDATE  What is new in ship mooring system ? MEG 4 was published in 2018, and it contains a number of important requirements that most of us are still unaware of. Specifically, SDMBL, LDBF, TDBF, and WLL. Why  each seafarer should aware of the mooring safety ? Please watch below 5 seconds video, same will insist the importance of the mooring safety.  There are only 2 seafarer were there in aft mooring station, both of them engaged in heaving up the unmoored wire from jetty. Stbd winch rope entangling with pedestal roller fairlead, same was not notified by the operator, nor there is a officer for monitoring, Stbd winch operator blindly increasing the force in the winch, causes the result. Consequences are extremely high, so everyone should aware of the mooring safety. MEG 3 - MBL Changed as SDMBL in MEG 4 which related with  LDBF/TDB
Read more

SHIP LOST HER PROPELLER : Dramatic Rescue of 63,000-Ton Vessel Near Bermuda

Image
  Introduction   In a high-stakes maritime operation that tested the mettle of salvage experts, a fully loaded vessel weighing a staggering 63,000 tons found itself in dire straits 150 miles east of the Bermuda Islands. A vessel carrying such a massive cargo capacity is a formidable sight on the ocean, and it encountered a perilous predicament when it suffered a critical crack in its rear axle, ultimately losing its propeller in the tumultuous waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This article chronicles the daring and successful efforts to rescue this colossal ship.   A Navigational Nightmare   The vessel, with a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 63,000 tons, was navigating the formidable Atlantic Ocean when disaster struck. The vessel's journey was fraught with challenges, and the situation took a treacherous turn as it suffered a significant crack in its rear axle. The loss of its propeller compounded the crisis, leaving the vessel stranded and at the mercy of the tempestuous sea.
Read more