Turkish maritime news site www.denizhaber.com analyzed the tragic accident between Lady aziza and Gokbel in front of Ravenna Harbour which resulted in the sinking of Gokbel and lost of 2 lives, missing of 4 others. Here are the findings:
How the accident happened?
After discharging cargo of fertilizers, 97 meters long, 1991 built, Belize flagged vessel named Lady Aziza, left Italy's Ravenna harbor on 09:00 local time.Onboard Lady Aziza, there was a crew of 9 people of Syrian nationality. In a short time the speed of the ship accelerated, when she reached the jetty the speed was already 8 knots. At the fairway of the breakwater at 09: 24 Local Time the ship reduced speed to 7.2 knots-probably to disembark the pilot. Right after that ship increased the speed again. The speed of the ship at 09: 30 was 10,1 Knots and at 09: 39 Local Time speed was 12.7 Knots. Visibility in the area at this moment was less than 100 meters. Lady Aziza ship was moving full speed in dense fog.
On the other hand; at the anchorages Turkish Flag, 87 meters-long 2008 built ship M/V GÖKBEL had beebn waiting her turn to discharge fertilizer cargo at the same berth where Lady Aziza did. At 09:00 local time GÖKBEL was ordered to heave up anchor and proceed to the entrance of the port. 09:30 hours: GÖKBEL had a speed 4.1 knots at 09: 39 local time again her speed was recorded as 4.1 knots. It meant that master of M/V GÖKBEL proceeded responsibly in slow speed in the dense fog.
Time: 09:39. situation right at that time: M/V GÖKBEL proceeding to Port Entrance with 4.1 Knots following a route of 281 degrees. LADY Aziza following a route of 81 degrees with 12,7 knots of speed. Both ship have a head-on situation in which Lady Aziza displaying Green, Gökbel displaying red. That meant, according to the valid COLREG rules, Lady Aziza SHOULD alter her course to STARBOARD immediately. The distance between ships at that moment: Just 6 cables. Lady Aziza should alter to starboard. She does not. She does not.. One hundred meters... Captain of GOKBEL in a difficult situation. If he alters the course to starboard-which he normally should- there is still the risk of collision because he had only 4 knots against 12,7 knots. Not possible to runaway. Seconds to decide... One maneuvering whicch is ultimately risk: to alter the course to Port! Could be successful if Lady Aziza kept on present course.. But she didn't..
At 9:44: after Gökbel has altered her course to PORT; Lady Aziza started to alter her course to starboard. Vessel yet not visually seeing each other. radar maneuverings. And 9:45: T-Bone collision. Lady Aziza creashed into M/V Gokbel head-o on her starboard side near accomodation area.. Gökbel sterted to sink, and Lady Aziza kept proceeding.. Not even assisting the casualties...
QUESTIONS AFTER ACCIDENT ..
Port of Ravenna is one of the Italy's largest ports and among the 40 largest ports in the European Union. Lack of proper traffic management and fiasco in search and rescue operations in just hundreds of meters away from this major port is a shame for EU and Italy. The following questions waiting to be answered after this tragic accident:
1. Who is doing the traffic management in the Port of Ravenna?
2- The ship GÖKBEL was called to heave up anchor and proceed to the port entrance, while Lady Aziza was cleared to leave the port. That means port authorities knew two vessels would meet each other on the way. Had the Lady Aziza captain been warner about this meeting? Have Both ships been agreed on how they would pass each other?
3. Did port authorities of Ravenna warn the Lady Aziza ship that she should proceed in slow speed in the dense fog? Were all the maritime authorities in Ravenna sleeping while the Lady aziza ship proceeding in 12,7 knots towards the port anchorage in dense fog?
4- Why the search and rescue operations initiated so late? Isn't there a proper SAR boat on this major port of East Italy that pilot boats providing search and rescue operation?
Which ship was errant in navigation?
It refers to the opinion of experts in terms of compliance with rules made Denizhaber maneuver both have stated that the vessel was at fault.
- Lady Aziza ship: errant for not reducing the speed in fog, for not showing red light (port side) to the head-on ship; being too late to do the correct manouver
- Gökbel ship: Errant for altering the course to port in a head-on situation. But maneouvering of the Gokbel is understandable for two reasons: One, Gokbel had only 4 knots of speed and altering the course to starboard (if Lady Aziza did not alter to Starboard and continued as she was) would not eliminate the risk of collision; second; Lady Aziza show no sign to alter the course to starboard until the very last moment.