Completed PE Summary
Union Pearl/Sonas
| Vessel name | Sonas |
| Category | Merchant/Fishing |
| Registered Owner & Manager: | Mr Robert McMaster Murray |
| Port of registry: | Stornoway |
| Flag: | UK |
| Type: | Fish Catching/processing |
| Built: | 1971 |
| Construction: | Wood |
| Length overall: | 18.35 |
| Gross tonnage: | 41.47 |
| Date & Time | 27/04/05 19:02 |
| Location of incident: | Northern Irish coastal waters |
| Incident Type: | Collision |
| Injuries/ fatalities: | None |
| Damage/ Pollution: | Material Damage/No Pollution |
| Vessel name | Union Pearl |
| Category | Merchant |
| Port of registry: | Bridgetown |
| Flag: | Barbados |
| Type: | General cargo |
| Built: | 1990 |
| Classification society: | Germanischer Lloyd |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Length overall: | 99.73 |
| Gross tonnage: | 2236.00 |
| Injuries/ fatalities: | None |
| Damage/ Pollution: | None |
Synopsis
The loaded general cargo vessel Union Pearl was in collision with the fishing vessel Sonas, which was on passage and returning to port, in good visibility.
Union Pearl had been passing clear of the fishing vessel but had then altered course for navigational reasons. The fishing vessel did not notice that Union Pearl had altered course.
Action taken:
The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has written to the owners of the cargo vessel to highlight the following:
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The proper application of the collision regulations, and
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The obligation to report a collision to the coastal authority and to remain in the vicinity until sure that the other vessel involved does not require any assistance
The Chief Inspector has also written to the skipper and co-owner of the fishing vessel on the following:
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The need to keep a vigilant lookout at all times
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The need to keep a listening watch on Channel 16 VHF
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The impairment to the visibility from the wheelhouse
