Fishing Vessel and Tanker Collide Near U.K.

A Brixham fishing vessel is now on its way back to Brixham after it collided with a chemical tanker 33.5 miles off Start Point. Brixham Coastguard overheard a conversation between two fishing vessels in the early hours of this morning on Channel 16 and contacted the vessels for further information. The 24 metre beam trawler ‘De Vrow Marie’ was fishing and showing its trawling lights when it was approached by a chemical tanker. The chemical tanker was head on with the fishing vessel and when it was 200 yards away took drastic action to avoid the fishing vessel. At the same time the fishing vessel took action to remove itself from the path of the tanker. However, the fishing vessel steered to starboard, as is the correct procedure, but the tanker steered to port and the two vessels collided. The fishing vessel, which had six crew on board was hit on the starboard side, incurring damage to its towing boom and towing warp and leaving a large dent in the stern. Fortunately all the damage was above the water line and there were no injuries. The trawler is now on its way back into Brixham and is expected to arrive at 7.30 am. The Panamanian registered chemical tanker ‘Oriental Jasmin’ has continued on its journey to Antwerp. Roger Brimacombe, Brixham Coastguard Watch Manager said: “It is extremely fortunate that the fishing vessel did not incur more damage. The chemical tanker is ten times its size and if it had hit just a couple of feet to starboard, or lower down the damage could have caused many more problems for the skipper and his crew. “We have informed the Marine Accident Investigation Board and the MCA’s fishing vessel surveyor will be meeting with the fishing vessel when it arrives in Brixham.”