MAIB Report: ACX Hibiscus and Hyundai Discovery Collision

[CharlieDelta]

The MAIB have published the report on the investigation into the collision between ACX Hibiscus and Hyundai Discovery in the approaches to the Singapore Straits in December 2011. Fatigue appears to be the main cause.

Seems the Panamanian authorities weren't all that helpful either.

Link:

http://bit.ly/17XCBoL

hibiscus.jpg

[HarmlessWeasel]

"The MAIB’s ability to conduct an effective investigation was restricted because access

to primary evidence from

ACX Hibiscus, which was outside the MAIB’s jurisdiction, wasdenied by the vessel’s owners. The owners subsequently put pressure on the Panama

Maritime Authority not to release critical evidence to the MAIB."
Is this normal? What do the owners have to lose other than being embarrassed?

[YoungMariner]

It's damage limitation, once the clever lawyers are involved and/or the threat of changing flag of an entire fleet, then most flags will be helpful. You'd be surprised at the lengths that flag and classification societies will go to ensure continued business.

[HarmlessWeasel]

Nice to know that the maritime industry is still a little dodgy at times.
pretty damning sentence about the watchkeeping on ACX Hibiscus
"Notwithstanding the potentialeffect of fatigue on the chief officer, the standard of watchkeeping on ACX Hibiscusat the time of the accident was far below the standard that should be expected of aqualified watchkeeper."

[GuinnessMan]

It's damage limitation, once the clever lawyers are involved and/or the threat of changing flag of an entire fleet, then most flags will be helpful. You'd be surprised at the lengths that flag and classification societies will go to ensure continued business.

Oh aye, quite widespread. However, neither reports can be used in court and they're both going to sue each other anyways so it is rather strange that Panama acted in the manner that they did. It's even stranger that it's a Japanese company doing the pushing...