A. The Incident

1. This collision occurred in Tsuen Wan Public Cargo Working Area north of Cheung Fat Estate in Tsing Yi at about 0520 hours on 10 January 1999. The visibility was good and the sea was slight. At about 0510 hours "Prompt Win 1" cast off from the oil tanker moored in the Tsuen Wan Dangerous Goods Anchorage and after clearing a few moored vessels, she followed the track shown in Appendix A. She was proceeding at a speed of about 10 knots. At about 0515 hours, P.V."93098" departed from Tsuen Wan public landing steps and proceeded on a compass course of about 190° and at about 10 knots. At about 0518 hours, P.V."93098" altered her compass course to 270° and collided with quot;Prompt Win 1quot; at about 0520 hours.

2. P.V."93098" sustained serious damage and nine passengers on board sustained serious injuries. Four of the passengers were declared dead on arrival at Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen Wan. quot;Prompt Win 1quot; escaped with minor damage forward above the waterline (see Appendix B).

B. Findings

1. The sole cause of this collision was lack of proper lookout on both the vessels. "Prompt Win 1" did not observe the other vessel until they were only 10 metres apart. P.V."93098" did not notice quot;Prompt Win 1quot; right until the collision.

C. The Lessons

1. Proper lookout is the most basic requirement of COLREGS and failure to follow this most essential requirement is the most common cause of most accidents occurring in Hong Kong. Rule 5 of the COLREGS requires that every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.

Appendix A

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