http://www.panbo.com/archives/2010/12/wreck_of_the_lady_mary_so_many_lessons.html#more [Full Post on PANBO w/ Pictures and illustrations. PANBO is a very interesting site, by the way]

Wreck of the Lady Mary, so many lessons
Dec 21, 2010

When I came across the New Jersey Star Ledger's finely reported series on the sinking of the scallop dragger Lady Mary, I didn't stop until I'd finished all five chapters, watched the video, and done some further research. It may not sound like a story in the holiday spirit, but aren't we about to gather during the darkest days of the year to celebrate light and love? You're not apt to forget the loving extended family at the center of this dark tragedy. And you'll certainly be reminded about how so many SAR gadgets and systems might and might not work...

The mystery of the Lady Mary is how she sank so quickly, but I bet many of you will conclude as I have that it's very likely she was struck from behind by the container ship Cap Beatrice. While I have no particular expertise in ship wreck forensics, I tend to agree with the experts quoted in the article that damage like that mangled rudder above -- not to mention the bent down 5-inch prop shaft -- could only have been caused by the ship's bulbous bow moving at 20 knots. There are more photos of the Lady Mary's damage here, as well as similar damage to another run-down dragger here.
Unfortunately this sort of story feeds the skepticism of those who think ships don't care about running into boats, and therefore anti-collision gear like Class B AIS transponders aren't worth the cost. Which seems especially true as it looks like the captain of the Cap Beatrice may get away with what looks like a hit, run, and cover-up operation. But note how his own AIS incriminated him, and that he may in fact have turned it off in his efforts to escape responsibility (all conjecture, mind you). If the Lady Mary had had a transponder would the collision have been avoided, or at least been more easily investigated after the fact?
And there are other questions. Would a DSC VHF alert have gotten the notice of nearby fishing vessels and saved a few lives? How about if the Lady Mary had had a GPS EPIRB instead of a standard issue model, which takes longer to geolocate? And if the mistaken registration number really did delay the search, isn't that why through-satellite testing is so valuable? My hat is off to Amy Ellis Nutt and Andre Malok for their efforts covering this story, and my heart is out to Fuzzy Smith and all the other family members involved.

Posted by Ben on December 21, 2010 11:51 AM

Comments
I knew a couple of those gentlemen. Good people, and sadly missed by those close to them.Happy holidays Panbo. Love your site.

Posted by: Chris at December 21, 2010 1:17 PM | Reply

This appears to be yet another case of two radar-equipped vessels colliding, apparently with no one on watch on either vessel. If it was the container ship that hit Lady Mary, it was probably not avoidable by them due to the amount of time and distance required to either stop or change course.

It also appears that the capt. of the smaller vessel was was more interested in taking hits off a bong than watching his screen...

And, there's the whole thing about procedural errors with the EPIRB, and the fact that it was not a GPIRB...

Perfect storm.

Posted by: Karl in NY at December 21, 2010 1:24 PM | Reply

Sigh...that's what I mean about skepticism. How is it apparent that the container ship was doing 20 knots with no one on watch? That's extremely unlikely.

Nor is it likely that the ship couldn't have changed course to avoid the Lady Mary had it seen her on radar or by eye. I do not believe she was restricted by draft or traffic scheme in that area. I also believe she was the burdened vessel as the Lady Mary was restricted in her ability to maneuver because her dredge was overboard.

What likely happened, I think, was that the watch standers on the ship missed or got confused about the boat's lights and/or radar target -- there were other fishing vessels in the area -- and then responded to the collision in ways they probably feel horrible about today.

Posted by: Ben at December 21, 2010 1:54 PM | Reply

I get very upset reading articles like this. It is stupid that these killings are not avoided by electronics. Fisherman and sailors alike get run over all too often because they or the crew of larger vessels are not seeing the danger. Time to make more things a Legal requirement when more than day sailing?
If we can convert the nation to HDTV, then AIS transceivers and GPS EPIRBs should be easy right? How about requiring them to be on all the time or face a fine? Homeland security should require them!

Posted by: Anonymous at December 21, 2010 5:17 PM | Reply