NTSB Report Reveals Cause Of Collision Between Containership And Fishing Trawler

The report of the National Transportation Safety Board’s inquiry into the collision of the containership MSC Rita with the fishing trawler Tremont on October 28, 2022, in the Atlantic Ocean, around 63 miles southeast of Chincoteague, Virginia, was released.

The captain of the fishing vessel was found to be responsible for the collision, which caused an estimated $6.25 million in damages. The captain failed to keep a sufficient lookout and worked on the gyrocompass while the autopilot was operating. The crash occurred when the Tremont abruptly turned around after passing the MSC Rita. Fortunately, none of the 13 people on board the Tremont suffered any significant injuries during the rescue operation.

The NTSB study highlighted the dangers of concurrent operations, in which modifications to one piece of equipment may affect another. Before starting maintenance, Seafarers were advised to recognise and control these hazards. The inquiry found that the ship deviated off track due to gyrocompass adjustments made while the autopilot was activated, which led to the accident.

The study also emphasised the importance of using contemporary VHF radios with digital selective calling (DSC) for efficient distress signal transmission. The report suggested adopting VHF-DSC to broadcast the vessel’s position automatically, ensuring improved coordination with search and rescue agencies and adjacent vessels, even though the Tremont captain used VHF to signal distress.

The Tremont, a 115-foot trawler carrying 12 crew members and a 2-year-old toddler, was involved in the incident. The vessel was leaving New Bedford, Massachusetts, to go squid fishing. Damages to the 105,000-dwt container ship MSC Rita, registered in Panama and comprising 22 crew members, totalled $1.5 million. The Tremont’s attempt to maintain its gyrocompass collided with it, causing a rapid change in direction and a collision with the containership.

Reference: Trade Winds

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