Zheng-Fan

UK safety officials are demanding that operators of seven vessels explain their crews’ failure to respond to distress calls after a deadly collision.The Marine Accident Investigation Branch also demanded that the operators specify what they intend to do to ensure compliance in future with SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 33.The casualty at issue took place on 20 December the Singapore-flagged bulker Alam Pintar collided off the Cherbourg peninsula with the fishing vessel Etoile des Ondes, which sank, with one crew member killed.Alam Pintar was one of the vessels whose crew failed to render aid.The Marine Accident Investigation Branch emphasised the need to maintain an adequate lookout “in case the actions of other vessels are ineffective in avoiding collision or close quarters situations”.It also warned fisherman of the dangers of working in areas of high traffic density. Alam Pintar’s bridge had been manned by an inexperienced deck officer and an unqualified deck cadet, MAIB revealed.