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Utopia IV sinks... a fuel tanker???

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Pascal, Dec 25, 2021.

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  1. Capt Ralph, May 6, 2022
    #81
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Sadly, Not yet here.
  2. Ken Bracewell, May 9, 2022
    #82
    Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    I recently saw a posting that they are looking for a new captain...
  3. Capt Ralph, May 9, 2022
    #83
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I'm guessing on the yachts repair schedule.
    I can see the need for a new captain, before return to service in the B islands.
    So the yacht repairs are just finished?
    RER likes this.
  4. Pascal, May 9, 2022
    #84
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    no kidding :).
  5. captholli, May 9, 2022
    #85
    captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    Even before this accident, "Utopia's" of past and present had an abnormally high amount of crew turnover as its a tough outfit to work for with the Mrs. running the yacht show with an iron fist. Crew don't seem to last long there and the reasons are well known in the industry.
  6. olderboater, May 9, 2022
    #86
    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    And then those things go together to create a cycle of chaos. Lousy work environment and bad reputation leads to only being able to hire subpar crew which leads to more problems and worse environment due to iron fist and unhappiness and leads to even less ability to hire and even worse crew and it all just continues downhill. No escape ever. Ultimately lousy employers and lousy employees are going to match up together.
    rocdiver and captholli like this.
  7. Capt Ralph, May 15, 2022
    #87
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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  8. Seasmaster, Jan 11, 2023
    #88
    Seasmaster

    Seasmaster Senior Member

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  9. Norseman, Jan 11, 2023
    #89
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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  10. Capt Ralph, Jan 11, 2023
    #90
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Seems NTSB was invited.
    Thank you Seasmaster for your post


    3. Conclusions

    3.1 Probable Cause

    The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the collision between the yacht Utopia IV and the tank vessel Tropic Breeze was the Utopia IV’s wheelhouse crew not maintaining a proper lookout and therefore not identifying the tank vessel they were overtaking. Contributing was the Tropic Breeze's bridge team also not maintaining a proper lookout.

    3.2 Lessons Learned

    Proper Lookout

    A proper lookout by suitably trained crewmembers is required by the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 and is essential in determining the risk of collision. The effective use of all available resources by a bridge team, including visual scanning, radars, electronic charts, and an automatic identification system, increases collective situational awareness and contributes to a safe navigation watch. Operators and crews should ensure that vessel bridge teams are staffed with certificated/credentialed mariners who are familiar with all bridge navigation equipment and able to independently take immediate action.
  11. Pascal, Jan 11, 2023
    #91
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    It’s absolutely mind boggling but most of this was know in the days after the accident

    1)- the captain was off the bridge while running at 20kts at night in fairly busy waters to check on passengers??? Why does the captain need to check on passengers. That’s the crew’s job…. Sounds like he was socializing no checking on them

    2)- when underway I always use split range on my radar. Typical 1 to 2 nm on one side and 8 to 12 nm on the other. Most radars have split screen capability and it allows you to detect and track distant vessels and well as anything at close range. I find it hard to believe than neither captains made use of this useful function. If you don’t have split screen then it seems to me that increasing range every 10/15 minutes to get the big picture would be a wise thing to do

    how are others using their radar?

    3)- I find it very surprising that Utopia didn’t have have a FLIR camera on a dedicated screen. I never run at night without it
  12. ranger58sb, Jan 12, 2023
    #92
    ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    I've been doing the same thing, one screen segment near, the other further out.

    -Chris
  13. AtomicLobster, Jan 12, 2023
    #93
    AtomicLobster

    AtomicLobster New Member

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    Huh...each charter captain I've ever worked with was extremely cautious running at night. I know of some charters that just won't do it at all unless they must. I've had some close calls at night over the years just running 20 kts in a center console, and I was paying attention! Sounds like this owner is not one I'd like to charter from...
  14. Capt Ralph, Jan 12, 2023
    #94
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    To help you feel better; new captain wanted and the boat is for sale.
  15. Pascal, Jan 12, 2023
    #95
    Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I very rarely run above hull speed at night. The only time I do is on the bank, either in the exuma bank or between chub and Bimini where there is very little traffic at night. And again radar and FLIR on and I never ever let anyone take a watch at that speed.

    many larger charter boats run at night between Nassau and the exumas but most run at displacement speed.
  16. jsschieff, Jan 13, 2023
    #96
    jsschieff

    jsschieff Senior Member

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    I was interested to read in the accident report that the windshield of Utopia was covered with salt spray from the bow. Narrow plumb bows with little or no flare so popular today as on Utopia must throw up salt spray in any sort of seaway, and Utopia has a highly slanted windshield that looks ideal for collecting spray. A salt-covered windshield to keep view while traveling at 20 knots at night. Form over function.
  17. Capt Ralph, Jan 13, 2023
    #97
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    F***ed-over function.
    But it looks good sitting at the dock..
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