1. Explain the expressions in bold using English equivalents.

2. A grounding;

3. on swell height;

4. undertook a safety evaluation;

5. shallow patches;

6. the forecast was still predicting;

7. rolling became severe;

8. aborted the approach to the Pilot Station;

9. was underway;

10. the swell was reduced;

11. the vessel was rolling;

12. a 'dry run' with a break off point;

13. after passing the Fairway buoy;

14. the bow pitching 1.5 m;

15. the vessel was not rolling or heaving but yawing;

16. she pitched bow down;

2. Answer the questions

1. What did the Master and Officers state in giving evidence to an investigation into a grounding?

2. Why did the Master abort the approach to the Pilot Station?

3. What discussion took place between the ship and the Marine Manager?

4. When did the vessel again commence the approach to a port?

5. What was the vessel experiencing after passing the Fairway buoy?

6. Why did the vessel come in to contact with the seabed?

7. What critical point has been overlooked in the findings of the investigation into the grounding?

3. Decide if these statements ate true or false. Correct the wrong ones.

1. The Master had not sent an email asking if the Pilots had any limitations on swell height for entering.

2. The maximum wind speed for entering was 40 knots.

3. The Master and officers did not undertake a safety evaluation of the port and approaches.

4. They identified hazards excluding shallow patches, fishing boats and swell .

5. The Master was concerned on the of arrival.

6. He undertook a 'dry run' in the approaches.

7. The rolling did not become severe.

8. The Master aborted the entry because the Pilot was not underway to meet the vessel.

9. The Marine Manager maintained that the vessel should have continued into the harbour that morning.

10. The Master stated that it would have been safe to enter.

11. At 1600 the vessel was 3 m.

12. The vessel was rolling about 2 degrees.

13. At 1728 two pilots boarded the vessel.

14. The Pilots suggested a ' dry run' with a break point agree from the fairway buoy.

15. The master did not agree to continue entry into port.

16. After passing the Fairway buoy the ship started yawing some 9 dergeed to starboard and 6 degrees to port.

17. The vessel was rolling about 5 degrees to port and starboard.

18. The Pilots started to the investigating team that the vessel was rolling or heaving but not yawing.

19. At 1816 the vessel later the vessel touched bottom again.

20. The Master and Officers were arrested.

23

Need for a good Lookout

Own ship was a semi submersible heavy lift vessel loaded with a huge rig. We were coming from the Sea of Bohai into the Chinese Sea. It is an area full of fishing vessels. The Bridge was manned with the OOW, Lookout and Master during the 2000-2400 watch. We plotted a vessel on the radar which was predicted to pass 8 cables on the port side. The OOW (who had the con), decided to change course to starboard as there were 2 fishing vessels ahead of own vessel and, at the same time, create more space for the other vessel on the port side. As we altered to starboard, the other vessel suddenly showed red and green lights instead of a red light and shortly after, only a green light, indicating that she had altered to port.

We gave hard-a-starboard rudder to avoid a close quarters situation and, after a few seconds, the other vessel must have realized that they had made a mistake and they altered to starboard, showing a red light, as they should have done in the first place. The other vessel passed at a distance of 4 cables on the port side and we could start breathing normally again.

This incident shows that one always has to keep a good lookout for preventing this kind of stupidity, because that's what I call it.