Serious accident with ro-ro passenger ship Patria Seaways, IMO 8917390 and bulk carrier Yasa Pioneer, IMO 9286578

2023-09-16
L-23/14
Marmara Sea

At 23:20 on 16 September 2023, ro-ro passenger ship Patria Seaways, IMO No. 8917390, registered in the Register of Seagoing Ships of the Republic of Lithuania and bulk carrier Yasa Pioneer, IMO No. 9286578, registered in the Republic of Marshall Islands, collided while proceeding in the Sea of Marmara. The accident occurred because the two ships did not notice the danger of collision in time. Although actions were taken when the danger of collision was finally observed, it did not prevent the collision. The bridge team of the Yasa Pioneer, proceeding at a speed  of 9 knots on a heading of 352°, turned hard to port 90 seconds before the collision. The officer on watch, who was alone on the bridge of Patria Seaways, proceeding at a speed of 15 knots on a heading 270°, turned hard to starboard, 37 seconds before the collision. The Yasa Pioneer bridge team, having spotted the Patria Seaways, tried to seek the attention of the Patria Seaways by pointing a signalling lamp and a laser pointer in the direction of the navigation bridge of the Patria Seaways. The crews of the colliding ships did not maintain radio communication with each other before the accident. At the time of the accident, Yasa Pioneer's automatic vessel identification system did not transmit signals, so the Yasa Pioneer was not displayed on the Patria Seaways' Electronic Chart Display and Information System.

The accident did not result in any environmental pollution or injuries. After the accident, both ships were unable to continue their voyages as planned, due to various damages.

Status of safety investigation
2023-09-17 Preliminary assessment launched
2023-11-03 Decision to conduct safety investigation
2024-03-12 Consultation
2024-06-17 Safety Investigation Report
2024-06-18 Letter to DFDS Seaways concerning the submission of safety recommendation
2024-06-18 Letter to YASA Ship Management & Trading S.A. concerning the submission of safety recommendation
2024-07-23 Reply from DFDS Seaways concerning implementation of safety recommendation
2024-09-03 Reply to DFDS Seaways concerning implementation of safety recommendation
2024-09-18 Reply from YASA Ship Management & Trading S.A. concerning implementation of safety recommendation
2024-09-25 Reply to YASA Ship Management & Trading S.A. concerning implementation of safety recommendation