A container ship collided with a bulk carrier in the early hours of the morning, causing serious damage to both vessels and a substantial spillage of heavy fuel oil into the water. The container ship had to alter course to pass between a group of fishing boats. This brought her into direct risk of collision with a bulk carrier ahead. The bulk carrier's officer of the watch communicated with the container ship via VHF radio to try and avoid a clash. He spoke in Mandarin to the container ship's Chinese second officer, who was on the bridge for familiarisation purposes. The second officer agreed to the request to have his vessel pass around the bulk carrier's stern. The container ship's Filipino officer of the watch did not understand the exchange and therefore did not carry out the correct preventative manoeuvres. Further confusion over VHF radio communications resulted in both vessels altering course to starboard and colliding with each other.
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