Near Miss Crossing PSC

Not giving way

- Day time. Good weather. Excellent visibility. Off South American Coast.
- Report No. 92010.
OWN vessel on a course of 0900 (True) observed TARGET on a bearing of 0630 (True), about 2.5 points on the port
bow, at about 16 miles range by radar, and a clear visual sighting at about 12 miles distance. The bearing remained
unchanged on radar and by visual bearings from the port bridge wing gyro repeater throughout the convergence of
the two vessels. It was deemed that TARGET, being on a SW'ly course, and having OWN on her starboard side, was
the giving-way vessel under Rule 15.
At a range of between 5 and 6 miles the OOW of OWN vessel endeavoured to contact the TARGET by VHF Radio
Channel 16 without success. A further attempt was made at 4 miles range, also without success.
When the vessels were 2.5 miles apart the OOW of OWN considered that the TARGET was not taking action as per
Rules 15 and 16 of the COLREGS. He therefore sounded the whistle signal prescribed by Rule 34(d), followed
shortly thereafter with the same signal, and then a further short blast to indicate that OWN was turning to starboard to
avoid a close quarter situation leading to collision, there being no sign of the TARGET taking any action to avoid
collision.
By the time OWN was heading 1800 TARGET was observed to have just directed her course to starboard and was at
this time about 0.7 miles distant on the port quarter of OWN and about to pass through the wake of OWN.
VHF contact was at this time established with the respective Masters (the Master of TARGET identifying himself as
such), during which the TARGET apologised, and the Master of OWN informed him that he would report him to his
owners