Don’t Disturb The Captain
Chief Officer handed over to Navigating Officer at watch change during complex but routine collision avoidance manoeuvre in Dover Straits. Visibility reduced but Captain was not advised (despite clear instruction in standing orders). Navigating Officer became confused by crossing fishing vessel ‘weaving’ across traffic lane. He later admitted he could have used engines but was scared to because ‘it would have alerted the Captain who would then have wanted to know why he hadn’t been called for the reduced visibility’. Struck & sunk fishing vessel.
