Vessel under pilotage or in congested waters

As stated above, many collisions take place when a vessel is under pilotage or in congested waters. In such cases, the actions of the person controlling the vessel immediately before the vessel was involved in a collision, are particularly relevant in determining the cause of the collision. The master, in addition to gathering the evidence discussed in the preceding sections, should ensure that the watch keeper, helmsman, the look-out, and any other persons on the bridge at the time of the collision make a complete record of events. The pilot also should be requested to make a written account of the events before he leaves the vessel. A note should be made of the pilot’s name, address and telephone number.

The master should record speed log readings and make a note of the state of the tide at the time of the collision. An estimate of tidal current is unlikely to be accurate. However, a note of the time of observed slack water will be useful when calculations are being made from tide tables. The master should note that S.A.L. logs may be inaccurate in freshwater.

Vessel moored

It is generally the view that unless there is evidence that the moored or anchored vessel contributed in some way to the collision, the vessel underway is liable for the damage.

Regardless of whether the master is on the colliding vessel, he should ensure the following information is obtained:

• Whether or not the vessel or an adjacent vessel was testing her main engines in such a way as to contribute to the incident

• Whether or not the moorings on the moored vessel were defective, slack or ineffective in any way

• An estimate of the tidal direction and strength

• The identity of witnesses on shore, and

• Photographs of damage to own vessel, and if possible, of the damage to the other vessel.

As many of the incidents which take place when the vessel is moored are minor incidents, the insurers of both vessels may not require a joint survey, but will rely heavily on the master’s evidence. It is important, therefore, that the master’s report of the incident gives a detailed record of the damage.

Particulars of the incident

In accordance with Resolution A.849(20)	Additional suggestions
	Details of vessel - Name - Nationality - Port of registry - Vessel’s general description - Radio equipment onboard - Vessel’s complement (details of rank and qualifications - Watch keeping arrangements - Navigational equipment on board
Type of incident
Date, time and place of incident	Date of collision Approximate area of collision Time zone
Details of incident and of the events leading up to it and following it	True courses steered during four hours before collision (time, position, altered course to) Last Lx before sighting the other vessel First observation of other vessel: - By what means - Time - Distance and bearing - Lights and shapes observed - Aspect - Apparent course True course of own ship at time of first observation Position of own ship at time of first observation (state how obtained) Speed of own ship at time of first observation Action taken by own vessel at time of first observation
Details of incident (cont.)	Subsequent observations - Times - Distance and bearing First visual sighting of other vessel - Time - Distance and bearing - Lights observed and shapes - Aspect - Apparent course - Bearing and distance of other vessel when echo was first observed by radar - What other lights and shapes (if any) were subsequently seen before the collision Steps taken to plot other vessel (e.g. reflection plot, formal plot) Record of actions of both vessels including times up to the time of collision (including engine movement) Sound signals made and when made Sound signals heard and when heard Details of any communications between vessels before collision (egaldis, YHF) Time of collision Position of collision (state how obtained) Angle of contact between vessels (if possible take photographs or make a drawing) Which parts of each vessel first came into contact Heading of own vessel at time of collision Speed of own vessel at time of collision Heading of other vessel at time of collision Speed of other vessel at time of collision Description of movements of both vessels after collision
Details of the performance of relevant equipment with special regard to any malfunction	Radars in use and what range scales they were set on Position fixing system(s) in use and intervals between fixes
Persons on bridge	Personnel on bridge at or immediately before collision and their duties If vessel under pilotage, name, address and telephone numbers of pilot — see also the evidence listed in the section ‘Vessel under Pilotage or in Congested Waters’
Persons in engine room
Whereabouts of the master and chief engineer
Steering mode (auto or manual)
Extracts from all relevant ship and, if applicable, shore documents including details of entries in official, bridge, scrap/rough and engine-room log books, data log printout, computer printouts, course and engine speed recorder, radar log, etc.
Details of communications made between vessel and radio stations, SAR centres and control centres, etc. with transcript of tape recordings where available	Details of communications after collision
	Name and port of registry of other ship
	Names of other vessels in vicinity when collision occurred
	Communications with other vessels in vicinity
Details of any injuries/ fatalities
Voyage data recorder information (if fitted) for analysis
	If the vessel is moored at the time of collision, see the evidence listed in the section ‘Vessel Moored’