Gibraltar witnesses ships collide, raising safety concerns

Two large ships collided off the coast of Gibraltar, raising safety concerns. The incident took place when the LNG carrier SM Kestrel hit the bulk carrier Diamond Star II around 1 PM on Monday. Both ships were using advanced tracking technology, but the crash still occurred as the SM Kestrel was leaving the anchorage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there was no pollution from the incident. Gibraltar authorities stated that neither vessel suffered serious damage, but both ships are now being inspected for any possible issues. They will remain anchored until further notice. An investigation is underway to determine how the accident happened. This has led to discussions about whether a pilot should be required for ships leaving Gibraltar, which currently does not mandate this. Currently, pilots are only required for berthing and unberthing. Earlier this year, Gibraltar's maritime authority suggested that pilots should be compulsory for ships in the anchorage. This recommendation came after another incident in 2022 when the bulk carrier OS 35 collided with another vessel while leaving Gibraltar. A report on that incident indicated that poor planning and misjudgment contributed to the collision. It stated that a pilot could have prevented the crash by suggesting a different route out of the crowded waters.