As reported by BBC News, “an oil tanker and cargo ship that crashed in the North Sea did not have “dedicated lookouts” in what were “patchy conditions”.
That sentence sums up one of the most persistent and dangerous risks in commercial shipping: failure to maintain a proper bridge watch.
In this recent incident, the general cargo ship Solong collided with the oil tanker Stena Immaculate. Solong sank within 10 minutes, and both vessels were declared total losses. Despite having radar, AIS, and ECDIS, neither vessel had a lookout posted—a violation of basic navigational protocol. The result? An estimated $100-$300 million in insured losses (Reinsurance News) and yet another example of how human error, not technical failure, continues to drive the most costly maritime accidents.
From Exxon Valdez (1989) to Ever Given (2021) and the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse (2024), history is full of devastating incidents where the common denominator wasn’t the absence of technology—but the absence of vigilance.
The Cost of Navigational Negligence
Collisions, groundings, contacts, and allisions are more than operational setbacks. They are “business killer” events that can wipe out profits, reputations, and entire companies. A single accident can trigger:
- Direct financial losses to shipowners (repairs, salvage, pollution fines)
- Reputational damage and broken contracts for technical managers
- Supply chain delays and cargo losses for charterers
A recent analysis by ShipIn shows that low-performing vessels average five hours of unattended bridge time per day while underway. That’s five hours when a ship is effectively sailing blind—despite being equipped with advanced tech.
Technology Isn’t the Problem
Modern vessels are loaded with electronic tools: radar, AIS, ECDIS, depth sounders, and BNWAS. Yet nearly 80% of maritime accidents are attributed to human error. Why? Because these systems require active, alert watchkeepers to interpret and respond to risks.
In the Solong–Stena Immaculate case, both crews violated one of the most fundamental rules of safe navigation: never leave the bridge unattended.
The Solution Is Simple: Be Present
The most effective safety measure isn’t more tech—it’s enforcing proper watchkeeping protocols:
- Always have a qualified officer and lookout on the bridge
- Use tools like ShipIn FleetVision™ to ensure compliance
- Build a safety-first culture where bridge discipline is non-negotiable
Conclusion
Shipping is a high-stakes industry where one lapse can cost millions—or lives. As recent collisions show, no amount of technology can replace an alert human on the bridge. Eyes on the sea, hands on the controls, and minds focused: that’s still the best way to stay off the casualty list.
To read more about this topic, download our white paper, Business Killers at Sea: How Poor Watchkeeping Sinks Profits and Ships.
