Automatic identification system (AIS) data has revealed that the 1,922-teu containership Delphis Gdansk (built 2017) was forced to avoid an oncoming ship shortly before it was involved in a collision with the 37,506-dwt bulker BBC Neptune (built 2010) off Denmark last week.
AIS data showing the movements of all three vessels in the moments before the crash is sure to play a critical role in the safety probe into the casualty being conducted by the Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Branch.
There were no injuries or pollution caused by the accident,but the damage to both ships and the nature of the accident meant it was deemed a serious maritime casualty requiring a full accident investigation.
The north-bound BBC Neptune collided with the south-bound Delphis Gdansk — which was heading from Rotterdam to St Petersburg — at 7.23am, while passing the Great Belt region of the Danish Straits.
The bow of the BBC Neptune collided with the stern of the Delphis Gdansk, causing extensive damage to both ships. Several containers fell into the water and two landed on the deck of the BBC Neptune.
One container caught fire but it was soon extinguished by the crew. Hull damage to both ships was above the waterline.
A video representation of the collision provided by AIS provider Vesselfinder shows the BBC Neptune sailing behind the other bulker: the 37,300-dwt Western Boheme (built 2012).
Starboard turn
Just two minutes before the Delphis Gdansk collided with the BBC Neptune, the containership was forced to turn to starboard to avoid a head-on collision with the Western Boheme.
That move put it on course to collide with the BBC Neptune, which had started to turn to port.
Both vessels turned to starboard to avoid the upcoming collision, but their moves came too late and the BBC Neptune clipped the Delphis Gdansk’s aft section.
The accident investigation is likely to focus on the standard of the watch on both ships and if both vessels correctly applied collision avoidance regulations.
The Delphis Gdansk is operated by Delphis, which is part of the CMB group, and registered in Hong Kong. The BBC Neptune is operated by Germany’s Briese Schiffahrt and registered in Liberia.
Both ships have protection and indemnity insurance from the West of England P&I club.
A spokesperson from Delphis told TradeWinds that “visibility was restricted but the weather [was] good at the time of the collision”.
