Based on MAIB Safety Digest 1/2025, Case 12, published April 2025 by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
The digest provides anonymised, instructive case studies from recent maritime accidents, aiming to raise safety awareness and promote learning across the industry. This particular case involves a serious collision between a cargo vessel and a pilot launch during a night-time departure — a scenario that highlights critical failures in pilotage coordination and bridge resource management.
During a routine late-night departure from port, a general cargo vessel got underway with a pilot embarked. The vessel cast off and began maneuvering through a constrained harbour channel toward open sea, guided by the pilot. The operation required precise coordination due to the narrow exit between two breakwaters.
As the ship progressed, the pilot became absorbed in a VHF radio conversation with port control. The discussion was not related to the vessel’s navigation but focused on logistical arrangements for the pilot’s next assignment. The dialogue soon devolved into unrelated chatter. The master, while able to hear the exchange, did not understand the content, as it was conducted entirely in the local language.
