CG Investigates Near Collision

The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay is investigating the near collision between a container ship Santa Monica and the fishing vessel Cheryl-C near the Golden Gate Bridge.

At approximately 7:50 a.m. on August 16, 2005, the container ship Santa Monica was traveling outbound past the Golden Gate Bridge and had to make a drastic course change to avoid a collision with the fishing vessel Cheryl-C. The Cheryl-C was obstructing the path of the Santa Monica in the shipping lane and did not heed danger signals sounded by the 831-foot container ship.

The Coast Guard is pursuing civil penalty action against the Cheryl-C for violating Rule 9 of the Navigation Rules for "Failure to comply with navigation rules in narrow channels." Marine Safety Office San Francisco Bay will forward the results of its investigation to Coast Guard Headquarters, who is the final approval authority for marine investigations.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port strongly reminds the public to heed Rule 9 of the Navigation Rules, which states that small vessels should not obstruct deep draft vessels in shipping lanes. Violations of the Navigation Rules can result in a civil penalty with a monetary penalty of $5,000 per violation.