A major collision over the weekend involving two containerships off Ningbo, China caused severe damage to both ships and fire on board one of them. No serious injuries to the crews of either vessel were reported.

The collision involved the Maersk Line-owned containership Safmarine Meru and the Northern Jasper, a German-owned containership.

Maersk Line confirmed in a statement provided to gCaptain that the incident occurred early Sunday morning (May 8 local time) approximately 120 nautical east of Ningbo. The collision caused severe damage to the Safmarine Meru and a fire broke out. Its crew of 22 people abandoned the vessel shortly afterwards.

A review of the both ships actions before the collision shows a complete lack of understanding of the Collision Regulations probably caused by inexperience. When will the regulators realize that experience can only be gained at sea with a long apprenticeship and all the BRM waffle and time spent at Nautical Colleges will not replace on the job training.