Safety Issue

Northern Fortune's third mate did not contact Allena or take any steps to determine if a collision had occurred and did not inform the ship's master of the incident. Therefore, he disregarded his legal and moral obligations to ensure the safety of the fishing vessel's crew. It is a requirement for flag States to ensure that their ships' masters effectively implement the United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) requirements to stop and render assistance to those who are in danger of being lost at sea.

Safety Advisory Notice

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau advises that ship operators, ship masters and maritime training institutions should consider the safety implications of this safety issue and to take action where considered appropriate.

The review of the draft report evoked affirmative opinions related to the identified safety factor... The ADOMS IID flag State Chief Casualty Investigator intends to focus attention on the identified safety factor related to article 98 of UNCLOS. He will adequately address this issue to raise awareness and to initiate a brought discussion within the Administration and on all her ships and on the Marine Accident Investigator's International Forum (MAIIF) as well. However, it appears to be of paramount importance as well, that fishing companies and skippers, who operate their small fishing vessels in confined waters with busy commercial traffic, understand that safety may also be a two-way road. It can be a lethal attitude to only rely on the help of others. Fishing industry and coastal authorities within their territorial limits are invited to enforce a proactive safety culture including a professional understanding and adherence of the COLREGS by means of elevated surveillance and advanced relevant legal considerations.