GRAND RACE

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Course/Position

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Vehicles carrier endangered by negligent fishing vessel

The US Coast Guard issued a Notice of Violation to the owner and master aboard a 48-foot commercial fishing vessel for negligence while operating in conditions of restricted visibility and a failure to maintain a proper lookout on Nov 29, 2021, in the vicinity of Buoy No. 8 of the Columbia River navigation channel. The fishing vessel was operating outbound on the Oregon side of the Columbia River navigation channel as the 'Grand Race', en route from Port Hueneme to Portland, Oregon, was transiting inbound, also in the vicinity of Buoy No. 8. The fishing vessel, without providing notice or sound signal to the inbound 'Grand Race', adjusted course to move to the Washington side of the channel; and, in doing so, cut across the bow of the Grand Race, creating serious risk of collision. This is an evident violation of Navigation Rule 9, pertaining to the safe and proper navigation of channels and fairways. Navigation Rule 9 states that vessels proceeding along a navigation channel shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on the vessels starboard side and which also prohibits vessels from crossing a navigation channel if such crossing impedes the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within the channel. Upon determining the risk of collision, the pilot aboard the 'Grand Race' repeatedly hailed the fishing vessel on VHF-FM radio channels 13 and 16 and sounded the danger signal with no response which was an evident violation of Navigation Rule 5, pertaining to the master’s responsibility to maintain a proper look-out by sight, hearing, and all available means.