@Superyachtfan tweeted this photograph of Tropic Breeze earlier than it lastly sank
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its report on the December 23, 2021, incident wherein the 750 dwt Belize-flagged product tanker Tropic Breeze, was struck by the 2018-built tremendous yacht Utopia IV and sank when en path to Norwegian Cruise Line Holding’s non-public island within the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.
The tanker was operated by Miami-headquartered Miami Maritime Management. According to media experiences on the time, the yacht was owned by billionaire and socialite JR Ridinger who, lower than a 12 months later, on August 30, 2022, was to die aboard the identical vessel after struggling a pulmonary embolism whereas it was docked in Croatia.
The vessels have been transiting the Northeast Providence Channel when the collision occurred. The Tropic Breeze’s engine room flooded, and the vessel finally sank. The vessel’s seven crewmembers deserted ship and have been rescued by a Good Samaritan vessel. Three of the 12 crewmembers on the Utopia IV have been injured.
FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER LOOKOUT
The NTSB decided that the possible reason behind the collision was the Utopia IV’s wheelhouse crew not sustaining a correct lookout and due to this fact not figuring out the tank vessel they have been overtaking. Contributing was the Tropic Breeze’s bridge staff additionally not sustaining a correct lookout.
Before the collision, the captain of the Utopia IV was conning the vessel whereas the bosun navigated and saved a bridge log. On the Tropic Breeze, the grasp and an in a position seafarer have been on watch on the bridge.
The captain of the Utopia IV left the bridge shortly earlier than the collision to verify on the seven yacht passengers. The bosun, who was not credentialed as a watch officer and was not allowed by rules to conn the vessel alone, was left performing watchstanding duties by himself and logging navigational information.
At 11:00 p.m. Eastern time, the bow of the Utopia IV, touring at about 20 knots, struck the transom of the Tropic Breeze from straight astern.
None of the watchstanders on the Utopia IV or Tropic Breeze reported seeing the opposite vessel on radar. According to the report, it’s seemingly not one of the watchstanders had appeared on the radar within the 12 minutes earlier than the collision.
AIS INOPERATIVE
The report notes that the Tropic Breeze’s AIS was inoperative on the time of the incident as a result of an influence problem. Investigators queried databases and located the unit had not transmitted a place in 11 months. (There have been restore elements on board awaiting a technician.) Had the unit been functioning, it’s seemingly that the Utopia IV might have detected the Tropic Breeze earlier than the collision, notes the NTSB. Likewise, with the unit inoperative, the Tropic Breeze couldn’t show the Utopia IV’s AIS sign and establish the yacht’s place relative to the tank vessel.
NTSB investigators concluded that if both vessel had saved a correct lookout, they seemingly would have detected one another and will have taken motion to keep away from the collision.
“A proper lookout by suitably trained crewmembers is required by the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 and is essential in determining the risk of collision,” the report mentioned. “The effective use of all available resources by a bridge team, including visual scanning, radars, electronic charts, and an automatic identification system, increases collective situational awareness and contributes to a safe navigation watch. Operators and crews should ensure that vessel bridge teams are staffed with certificated/credentialed mariners who are familiar with all bridge navigation equipment and able to independently take immediate action.”
Download the total report HERE
