The report was hampered in that the pilot surrendered his license shortly after the incident and the on-going criminal investigation made various possible witnesses unavailable. Nevertheless, the report concluded that pilot misconduct was a factor in the allision.
Among other things, the pilot failed to utilize all available resources prior to getting underway; failed to clearly communicate with the master; failed to exercise sound judgment when he lost confidence in the radar in reduced visibility; and failed to utilize all available resources before committing the ship to its transit under the Bay Bridge.
(Source: Holland & Knight)