risks. Non-compliance with COLREGS, such as failing to display proper lights or shapes, worsens visibility and identification issues.
Additionally, inadequate knowledge of navigation rules and merchant vessel behaviour leads to delayed or incorrect collision avoidance. Limited or improperly used communication and navigation equipment, often turned off to save fuel, further reduces situational awareness and communication, significantly increasing the risk of collisions.
Other contributing factors
Environmental factors - Judgment and reaction are impaired by severe weather such as typhoons, cold waves, and fog.
- Following the lifting of the summer fishing ban, many fishing vessels return to sea, increasing traffic density and encounter complexity.
Nighttime impacts - Intense operational lights on fishing vessels may prevent timely detection by merchant vessels and impair risk assessment.
- Fatigue among night watchkeepers reduces concentration and responsiveness.
Communication - Language barriers and terminology differences may hinder effective communication and exchange of collision-avoidance intentions.
Key preventive measures
- The Guideline for the Prevention of Collisions between Merchant Vessels and Fishing Vessels in Coastal Waters of China issued by China MSA provides comprehensive safety standards and risk prevention guidelines. Bridge teams should familiarize themselves with it and adopt the recommended practices.
- In 2023, China MSA identified 38 high-risk areas (e.g., Bohai Bay, Zhoushan Fishing Ground, Pearl River Estuary). Before entering these areas, merchant vessels should review their locations, plot them on charts, and, where possible, detour around them. If unavoidable, maintain heightened vigilance and caution.
- Regional MSAs may require ship agents to distribute these documents to vessels and obtain signed acknowledgments from masters.
- Prioritize using public routes published by China MSA when planning coastal routes.
- Before entering China’s coastal waters, ensure: - OOWs understand vessel manoeuvring characteristics and bridge blind sectors.
- Key equipment (steering, signals, lights, etc.) has been functionally tested and is in good order.
- When approaching dense fishing areas, prepare the engine, engage manual steering, and proceed at a safe speed allowing ample assessment time.
- Upon entering fishing areas, the Master should assess factors such as OOW experience, vessel density, and conditions to decide on additional lookouts or taking command personally. Use radar of different frequency bands, combine visual and AIS assessments to monitor fishing vessels and evaluate collision risks.
- When a collision risk arises, make substantial course/speed changes in ample time, supported by sound/light signals, to pass clear of the fishing vessel and its gear. Communicate via VHF if necessary. Timely and effective communication reduces collision risk.
- If the propeller becomes entangled by fishing gear, stop the main engine immediately to prevent further loss.
- Understand fishing vessel operations, radar characteristics, and avoidance points to act effectively in critical situations.
- Pay special attention to fishing vessels not engaged in fishing or using gear not restricting manoeuvrability:
- Such vessels are “power-driven vessels” under COLREGS. Merchant vessels are not always obliged to give way but should exercise prudence considering visibility, encounter situations, and manoeuvring capability. Given fishing vessel crews limited COLREGS awareness, merchant vessels should act proactively when necessary.
- Maintain vigilance regarding unpredictable manoeuvres, such as stopping suddenly to deploy nets or altering course abruptly. Familiarity with fishing vessel patterns aids anticipation and avoidance.
THE REPORT | MAR 2026 | ISSUE 115 | 107
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