The cargo ship Daroja and the bunker barge Erin Wood collided some two miles east of Peterhead, Scotland in August 2015 due to improper lookout on either vessel, a report from the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) shows.

According to MAIB, watchkeepers in both vessels were unaware of the risk of collision and took no action to avoid the other ship.

In the incident, which occurred on August 29, 2015, in daylight and good visibility, the bunker barge Erin Wood was badly damaged and its crew put in danger. There was also some minor pollution from leaking fuel cargo.

The investigation revealed a number of safety issues, including lookout in order to detect other vessels and assess the situation and highlighted the potential consequences when the risks associated with the Officer of the Watch (OOW) being the sole lookout are not effectively addressed.

MAIB has made a series of safety recommendations to the managers of both vessels intended to raise the standards of watchkeeping at sea.

A recommendation has also been made to the St Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry regarding the inspection of new vessels joining the flag.