The UK-registered RoRo passenger ferry Red Falcon collided with a privately-owned motor cruiser off Southampton, England, due to poor navigational watchkeeping practic.
On September 29, 2018, in the Thorn Channel, Southampton, England, the UK-registered RoRo passenger ferry Red Falcon collided with the cruiser Phoenix in connection with the navigational problems.
There were 20 crew and 182 passengers on the board of the ferry, and 4 persons on the board of the motor cruiser.
Phoenix was pinned against the ferry’s bow for 18 seconds and was seriously damaged. Red Falcon was not damaged.
There were no injuries and no pollution.
A report by UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) noted that the lookout on both Red Falcon and Phoenix was solely by eye.
Additionally, Red Falcon’s bridge team did not see the motor cruiser on the starboard bow due to Phoenix being obscured by the sun’s glare and window frame blind arcs, while the effectiveness of the lookout maintained on board Red Falcon’s bridge was reduced because the master and chief officer remained seated and the bridge window sun screens were not lowered.
Following the accident, an internal investigation by the Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Company Limited (Red Funnel), Red Falcon’s owner, identified several areas of navigational watchkeeping practice to be improved.
In view of this action, no recommendations have been made, MAIB said.
