The Frio-Star: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a detailed report regarding the collision between the bulk carrier 'Seagate' and the refrigerated cargo vessel 'Timor Stream.' This incident occurred in the open waters, specifically 24 nautical miles north of the Dominican Republic, at 05:40 on March 10, 2012. Encouragingly, there were no injuries reported, but both vessels sustained significant damage and there was minimal pollution resulting from the collision. At the time of the incident, 'Timor Stream' had departed the port just three hours prior and was en route to the United Kingdom, while 'Seagate' was headed toward the west coast of Africa. The chief officer on 'Seagate' observed the 'Timor Stream' but mistakenly assumed it was merely an overtaking vessel that would maintain a safe distance. Meanwhile, the master of the 'Timor Stream,' who was navigating alone on the bridge, failed to maintain an effective lookout. Tragically, neither watchkeeper recognized that both vessels were on a collision course until less than a minute before impact. The MAIB's findings underscore that inadequate watchkeeping practices, stemming from complacency, were to blame for the collision. The investigation highlighted that the officers in charge of navigation on both ships did not uphold proper lookout protocols or evaluate the risk effectively to prevent the collision. Additionally, the report indicated that both officers deviated from fundamental elements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (as amended) as well as the navigational procedures set by their respective company management. In light of the findings, the management of both vessels has implemented measures to mitigate future risks associated with the identified safety concerns. As a result, the MAIB did not issue any recommendations in this report. For a comprehensive overview, refer to the full MAIB investigation report available online.

In a dramatic maritime event on March 10, a general cargo vessel named Seagate collided with the reefer Timor Stream approximately 60 miles northeast of Isle de Tortue, Haiti, according to reports from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Following the crash, the Seagate sustained significant damage and began to take on water. Out of the 21 crew members aboard Seagate, 18 successfully evacuated in liferafts, while three remained on the vessel. Thankfully, all sailors were rescued, with 17 being picked up by the Timor Stream and one by a nearby motor yacht named Battered Bull, known for its good Samaritan efforts. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the incident. The captain of the Seagate assured that the vessel stabilized with only minimal water accumulating in the engine room. The Timor Stream stayed at the scene to assist until the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous arrived to take over. The USCG has yet to provide any information regarding damages sustained by the Timor Stream during this incident.

On February 23, 2010, the vessel known as the 'Timor Stream' faced scrutiny when it was boarded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in a routine inspection. The MCA detained the ship for a period of two days, citing several critical safety concerns. Key findings from the inspection revealed significant issues including corroded and seized engine room dampers, alongside a general lack of adequate maintenance for the vessel and its operations. Further compounding these concerns, the MCA discovered that the escape hatch for the CO2 room was inoperable from the inside, which posed serious safety risks in emergency situations. Additional leaks were identified in both the fuel transfer pumps and the main engine, which required urgent cleaning and repair to prevent potential hazards. Despite these infringements, the vessel, which was transporting refrigerated cargo, was permitted to resume its journey the following day after the identified issues were addressed.