A collision can be the start of a string of events, such as water ingress, loss of propulsion or steering, total power failure, fire, pollution, capsizing or even sinking. Therefore, it is vital the every OOW takes the correct immediate action should a collision occur. Your company SMS should provide guidance and checklists for your vessel and the International Bridge Procedures Guide also contains both guidance and an emergency checklist (available for download below) if required to respond to a collision.
Immediate Actions
- Sound General alarm, Muster and account for all hands checking for any missing or injured persons.
- Stop engines, display appropriate signals required by the Collision Regulations.
- Shut all watertight and fire doors.
- Ascertain apparent extent of damage to own vessel (switch on deck lights at night).
- Switch VHF to channel 16 and if appropriate channel 13.
- If passengers carried muster them at emergency stations.
- Make contact with the other vessel and obtain:
- Vessel name, call sign and Port of Registry,
- Master’s name and detail of owner and/or manager,
- Vessel type, cargo on board and extent of damage.
- Broadcast an URGENCY message to all ships in the vicinity and local coastguard or DISTRESS ALERT if vessel is in grave and imminent danger.
- Commence full inspection to determine condition of own vessel include:
- Identification of compartments flooded or on fire.
- Identification of compartments that are leaking fuel or cargo.
- Establish if the vessel afloat / aground.
- Machinery and steering gear condition.
- Sound all tanks and bilges.
- Offer assistance to other ship.
- Inform both Flag and Coast State Authorities as appropriate.
- Preserve VDR or SVDR records.
- Maintain an log of all events.
Bridge Procedures Guide – Collision Checklist
