Marine Accident Investigation Branch issues collision report

摘要

"This accident has raised three important safety issues relating, firstly, to the perceived unwritten rule that high-speed craft will keep clear of all other vessels in all scenarios, secondly, how operators should determine a safe speed and close quarter situation in restricted visibility and, thirdly, the extent to which reliance can be placed on radar for detection in restricted visibility." The words are from a United Kingdom Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on a collision in the English Channel, 3 miles southeast of Dover, on January 6 2002 between an Incat Tasmania 81m wavepiercing catamaran, Diamant, operated by Hoverspeed and a 180m passenger ro/ro cargo ferry, Northern Merchant, operated by Norfolk Line. There were 148 passengers and crew on board Diamant, and 102 passengers and crew on board Northern Merchant. There were no injuries. Both vessels are relatively new, Diamant was launched in 1996 and Northern Merchant was delivered in 2000. Both were operating regular scheduled services at the time of the accident.