COLLISION AT SEA, ON CHEMICAL TANKERS - CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

COLLISION AT SEA--

No.	Action	Tick
1	Try to take collision forward of collision bulkhead or as a glancing blow
2	It is better to lose both anchors or be aground in soft mud head-on  than have a collision
3	Sound general alarm and whistle followed by PA announcement  “ imminent collision , leave your cabins”
4	Stop main engines, unless circumstances dictate otherwise
5	Note down date and time of occurance
6	Call the Master
7	Put on deck lights and NUC lights
8	Inform traffic in vicinity by VHF DSC / 16
9	Warn vessel in vicinity by SECURITE/  URGENCY broadcast
10	Note down the GPS position and course and speed  where collision happened
11	Establish communication with other vessel , offer assistance as per law
12	Exchange data with other ship like bulbous bow, name, call sign,  registry, number of crew and nationality, owners, last and next  ports, cargo on board, injuries, damage sustained, pollution
13	Remember to hold other vessel responsible on public channel and repudiate liability, as soon as you get the time. VDR will record this.
14	Ascertain if ship’s crew is injured by head count
15	Assess damage to own vessel and point of contact
16	Check angle of contact
17	Assess if there is damage below water to hull
18	If vessels are interlocked assess if it is safe to separate ( sparks/ sinking/ larger spill ) in smooth seas only
19	If interlock mode is chose rig up moorings to prevent inadvertent disengagement, and keep fire hoses ready to   quench sparks
20	Close watertight doors
21	Check for possibility of beaching
22	Obtain report of ER machinery from Chengr
23	Warn vessel in vicinity by SECURITE/  URGENCY broadcast
24	Continuous watch on channel 16 VHF
25	Prepare LB for launching
26	AIS updated .
27	Take photographs
28	Sound all tanks and bilge
29	If oil spill occurs follow SOPEP or VRP plans
30	Inform the company.
31	Assess meteorological conditions in the area SPOS/ BONVOYAGE
32	Verify damage stability
33	Check draught fore and aft list, and trim
34	Mark course recorder and engine room data logger with collision time
35	Check log book records, (course, speed, visibility) prior to collision
36	Estimate and record angles of impact
37	Note course and speed at time of impact
38	Note time of all sound/light signals made and heard/seen
39	Monitor weather forecasts
40	Consider anchoring possibilities
41	Check if any cargo or bunkers are lost
42	Isolate penetrated tanks and use water buffer to stop loss of cargo/ bunkers and pollution.
43	Check ballast/fresh water distribution to correct list / trim
44	Ascertain is there is danger of sinking or if seaworthiness is affected
45	Call class only is seaworthiness is affected
46	Ascertain if salvage assistance is required
47	Preserve VDR backup. Communications with / from pilot will be an important evidence .
48	Divert to port of refuge
49	Keep abandon ship options open
50	Inform H@M underwriters
51	In case seaworthiness is affected Master to impound all charts, printouts, logs, resthours  and graphs for company lawyers.
52	Enter facts in deck and official log books, without erasures, alterations ( Master to ensure )
53	Inform relevant port state within 24 hrs ( if seaworthiness is affected )
54	Master to repudiate liability and NOT to give statement to media without company clearance
55	Ensure cargo lien on GA contribution, hence don’t discharge cargo without company clearance
56	Master to note protest with Club’s advise
57	Check if New Jason’s clause exists in the Bill of Lading format you signed
58	Prepare follow up reports and statement of eye witnesses

Note: In case of carcinogenic flammable volatile spill ( like Benzene ) , it is MOST important keep ship upwind of the spill.

Try to hemetically seal leaking cargo/ oil tanks after removing head above sealevel by internal transfer.

CAPT AJIT VADAKAYIL

(29 YEARS IN COMMAND )

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