The viral collision between superyachts Venus and Lady Moura in the Bay of Naples highlights the importance of maintaining a watch when anchored in close quarters.
The recent collision between the 78.2-meter superyacht Venus and the 104.6-meter Lady Moura off the coast of Naples has brought attention to the critical importance of maintaining vigilance and adhering to maritime best practices, particularly when anchoring in close quarters.
Footage from the incident appears to show Venus striking Lady Moura, and while initial reports suggested significant fault, further context paints a more nuanced picture of the event.
On July 22nd, both yachts were anchored off Naples. The wind suddenly shifted, bringing both vessels within each other’s swing circles. It is understood that Venus had laid a shorter anchor chain than Lady Moura, and, crucially, its bridge was unattended at the time of the incident. Although the crew on Lady Moura started the engines and attempted to alert Venus, there was not enough time to manoeuvre to avoid the collision.
A source close to the matter said, "The wind changed very suddenly, picking up from a breeze to 55 knots over the course of a few minutes. Neither boat dragged anchor, though the other boat was on a chain double the length expected."
Both captains were in discussion immediately following the collision and only minor repairs were needed.
This incident highlights the importance of maintaining a vigilant bridge watch, a point emphasized by Ted Morley, a former captain and chief operations officer of Maritime Professional Training (MPT), “The recent incident involving Lady Moura and Venus while at anchor in the Bay of Naples underscores the need for vigilance and adherence to the rules, and to being aware of the ‘what if’ factor.”
Rule 5 of the ColRegs states that “every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out [...] by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision,” a principle that was not fully adhered to in this particular case.
"There are many contributing factors to accidents between vessels but most of them can be narrowed down to ineffective communication or failure to adhere to the Rules," Morley says. "Use of the radar, communication between vessels, anchor alarms, proper anchor watches by trained personnel, and being able to respond timely to changing weather conditions are all vital to the safe navigation of a vessel, whether the vessel is making way or not.“
In commercial anchorages, vessels often have designated spots to avoid such incidents, ensuring a safe distance between their swing circles. "This is an important and often overlooked concern, especially when there is a disparity in vessel size or windage, or load condition," Morley says. For example, a heavily laden vessel will respond more to current than wind, and a larger vessel will turn differently than a smaller vessel. Changing tides, changes in wind speed or direction, and other factors can all increase or decrease a vessel’s swing circle.
“It is imperative that when a vessel enters an anchorage, it communicates with other vessels already at anchor to determine what their swing circle is and what potential concerns exist,” Morley adds.
Ultimately, this incident serves as a reminder to crew of all levels: vigilance, communication, and adherence to the rules are essential in preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of all on board.