Poor lookout blamed for fishing collision

The skippers of two fishing boats that collided in fog in Golden Bay in November failed to keep a proper lookout and should re-attend a radar course, the Maritime Safety Authority (MSA) said in its report into the incident released today.

The Louisa and the Emma J had been fishing in foggy conditions at 6.45am on November 7 when the collision occurred, badly damaging Louisa.

Louisa was later able to limp to Tarakohe for temporary repairs before returning to Nelson, while Emma J sustained only minor paint damage and was able to continue fishing.

The 35-year-old Takaka skipper of Emma J had been sorting scallops when the collision occurred.

MSA said Louisa's skipper, a 27-year-old from Nelson, had failed to observe that Emma J was dead ahead although he saw six to eight other vessels on radar.

"Both skippers failed to maintain a proper lookout," MSA said in its decision.

There was approximately 11 minutes during which the skippers could have "potentially observed each other's radar echo".

Neither skipper sounded a fog signal.

"Both skippers are young and had both obtained their ILM (Inshore Launch Masters) certificates in 2000.

"This course contains the Restricted Radar Operators Certificate as a statutory part of the ILM.

"They both showed very poor knowledge of the principles of general navigation in restricted visibility."

MSA said both skippers should re-attend the radar course.

The Louisa is owned and operated by Crusader Holdings Limited, and the Emma J is owned and operated by KC and JF McBride.

- NZPA