Read Seaways online at www.nautinst.org/seaways September 2023 | Seaways | 17 Providing learning through confidential reports – an international co-operative scheme for improving safety MARS – Lessons Learned MARS Report No 371 September 2023 Visit www.nautinst.org/MARS for online database On the cargo vessel the OOW felt something hit the bow of the ship. Looking out, he saw the mast of a fishing vessel close along the starboard side. The time was 08:35. The collision caused the fishing vessel to heel over and turn around almost 180 degrees. Once clear of the cargo ship, the fishing vessel still had propulsion. The crew were unharmed and proceeded to check the status of the vessel, which had sustained considerable damage to the port bow bulwark but otherwise was out of danger. After the collision, the OOW reduced the speed of the cargo ship, turned the ship around, called the fishing vessel on VHF and asked whether they needed assistance. Both vessels later returned to port for inspection and repairs. Lessons learned l Distractions, be they administrative or personal (mobile phones!) are antithetical to keeping a sharp lookout. l Not all small vessels carry or use their AIS consistently, so keeping a sharp visual and radar lookout is essential. MARS 202340 Accommodation ladder not accommodating As edited from TAIC (New Zealand) report MO-2021-205  A vessel was about to leave port. Once the pilot had boarded, crew began to secure the accommodation ladder for sea passage. This ladder was of ‘telescopic’ design, such that the lower half was able to slide inside the upper half for securing. Although of a Class approved design and SOLAS compliant, the practical considerations of using this particular type of ladder were complicated. A previous incident had led to a risk assessment that identified the entire upper section as a ‘dangerous area’ while the ladder was being retracted. As a result of this risk assessment, the company had established a procedure that no person should stand in that area during securing operations. However, it appears this was routinely violated, as in this instance. The inboard handrail side chain became caught between the sliding lower ladder and the fixed upper ladder, and a crewmember stepped onto the upper ladder to free it. Once he had cleared the inboard handrail chain, he picked up the outboard handrail chain and held onto both to prevent them from getting caught again. Holding both chains, he stood on a step close to the top of the fixed ladder, but within the area identified as dangerous from the previous incident. On board, another crewmember resumed heaving on the fall wire to retract the lower section of accommodation ladder. As this was proceeding, the ladder end dropped off the port platform. Because the side chains were slack and not supporting the fixed upper ladder, the weight was transferred from the dock platform and onto the fall wire. This resulted in an unexpected and uncontrolled upward movement of the lower ladder. The sudden upward movement of the lower ladder trapped the victim’s left leg between the top step of the lower ladder and the third step of the fixed upper ladder. All work stopped immediately, and the MARS 202339 Collision in daylight and good visibility As edited from NSIA (Norway) report 2022/12  In the early morning a small cargo ship left port bound for a short sea destination. The OOW was alone on the bridge as it was now daylight and visibility was good. He set a SSE cour