The Kota-Lembah: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

In a significant ruling, skipper Mike Te Pou has received a fine following a maritime incident involving his fishing vessel 'Commission' and the container ship 'Kota Lembah' on July 28, 2021, near the Bay of Plenty. At approximately 3:15 a.m., Te Pou, accompanied by two crew members and an observer from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), was while setting longlines for fishing when he noticed the 'Kota Lembah' on his radar. Despite this awareness, Te Pou deviated from his duties at the wheelhouse for a substantial 40 minutes, neglecting to monitor the position of the approaching vessel. The crucial moment came at 3:55 a.m., when a collision occurred between the two vessels. Fortunately, no injuries were reported; however, the incident had the potential for serious consequences, with the risk of individuals being thrown overboard. The crew of the 'Kota Lembah' also accepted responsibility, admitting they failed to change course and give way to avoid the accident. Following an inquiry, the Tauranga District Court fined Te Pou $1,625 for operating his ship in a manner that posed unnecessary danger to others and property.

An alarming investigation into the collision involving the 'Kota Lembah' and the fishing vessel 'Commission' off the Bay of Plenty has revealed that the accident, which took place approximately 130 kilometers from shore on July 28, 2021, could have easily been avoided. The report from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) indicates that both vessels' crews failed to adequately determine each other's locations. According to maritime regulations, the container ship 'Kota Lembah,' which was en route from Lyttelton to Auckland and was drifting offshore waiting for a berth, did not give way to the smaller 'Commission.' Conversely, the fishing vessel, having departed from Napier a few days prior for commercial fishing, should have also taken action as the larger ship continued its course. On the fateful night, as the 'Kota Lembah' detected the 'Commission' on its radar around 3 a.m., the crew opted to proceed, under the erroneous assumption the fishing boat would steer clear. An hour later, the 'Kota Lembah' lost visual contact with the 'Commission,' leading to worries that the fishing crew might attempt to board the ship. Their concerns were unfounded—the two vessels collided just moments later, with the 'Commission' scraping along the cargo ship's hull amidst the waves. Remarkably, the impact went unnoticed by the 'Kota Lembah's crew, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The crew on the fishing vessel donned lifejackets and prepared to evacuate after the collision; however, a prompt assessment revealed the boat was structurally sound, prompting them to remain onboard. Damage to the 'Kota Lembah' was confined to superficial gouges to its hull paint. While the container ship's captain remained unaware of the incident and did not attempt to establish communication, the fishing vessel's efforts were hindered by a damaged radio antenna resulting from the crash. After severing their fishing line, the crew of the 'Commission' successfully docked in Tauranga the next day, while the 'Kota Lembah' reached Auckland two days later. The TAIC concluded that fault lay with both parties, citing that the skipper of 'Commission' naively expected larger vessels to navigate around them, while the watch team on the 'Kota Lembah' incorrectly assumed the fishing boat would avoid collision. The commission highlighted deficiencies in both crews' watchkeeping standards and expressed concerns regarding fatigue management aboard the fishing vessel, where the skipper had reportedly been awake for 20 continuous hours. In light of these findings, the TAIC recommended that the owner of the 'Commission' implement enhanced protocols to ensure crew members receive adequate rest.