Both ships at fault in collision

An initial investigation into the collision of the "BW Maple" and the "Dawn Kanchipuram" indicated that officers of both cargo vessels and the pilot of the incoming vessel were at fault. The investigation revealed that the collision happened due to human error and not because of technical reasons. But the percentage of fault differed with the "Dawn Kanchipuram" including the pilot were more at fault. They simply did not talk to each other. They also did not have sufficient time to take action to avert the disaster. At the time of incident, the "BW Maple" was sailing at 9 knots and the "Dawn Kanchipuram" at 6 knots . The "BW Maple" rammed into the oil tanker, damaging it in three places: one below the water level, measuring 7 to 8 metre in diameter, and a triangular hole at the top of about 3 to 4 metre diameter, apart from the engine room. Bunker oil from the pipes in this room spilled into the sea. The LPG tanker’s bulbous bow ploughed into the oil tanker’s side. As the LPG tanker had unloaded a major portion of its cargo, it was relatively light and the bulbous bow was at a higher level. The "BW Maple", which suffered minor damages, remained anchored on the high seas, while the "Dawn Kanchipuram" was berthed inside the port.