China, Iran and Panama have signed an investigation report on the sinking of the Iranian oil tanker Sanchi, in which relevant parties agreed on the basic facts, but differ on the cause of the accident, according to the Chinese Ministry of Transport (MOT).
On Jan. 6, the Panama-registered, Iran-owned oil tanker Sanchi, carrying 136,000 tons of light crude oil from Iran, collided with the CF Crystal, a Hong Kong-registered bulk freighter, about 300 kilometers east of the Yangtze estuary. The accident left three crew members dead and 29 missing from the Sanchi, while severely damaging the Hong Kong ship.
After the accident, which was the world's first collision and explosion involving a vessel carrying condensate, Chinese personnel risked their lives to rescue the crew aboard the Sanchi and put out the fire on the tanker.
After months of scrutiny by a three-country joint investigation group, related parties have reached consensus on the basic facts around the accident, including the properties of Sanchi's cargo, identification of the crew, time of the collision and process of the accident, according to the ministry.
Neither of the ships followed clauses in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972 (COLREGs) to carry out proper lookout, or took the right measures to avoid collision, the report said.
The investigation has been fact-based, legitimate, objective, fair and transparent, offering details on how the accident happened and suggestions on safety management, said the MOT.
Differences remain concerning the direct cause of the accident, according to the report.
In line with the rules on vessel accident investigations by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Chinese investigators found the onus was on Sanchi to make way as both vessels were closing in on a collision course before the accident, and the fact it failed to take the needed action was the direct cause.
Iranian and Panamanian investigators blamed a slight course change by the CF Crystal for causing the accident.
China, which led the investigation, has submitted the investigation report to the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Sources:XINHUA
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