The owners of the Ship ‘Iran Abad’ v The owners of the Ship ‘Merawi’ - QBD (Admlty Ct)(David Steel J sitting with Assessors) - 26 January 1999

Collision action - Vessels colliding after weighing anchor in order to join Suez Canal convoy

On 3 October 1993 a collision occurred in the Great Bitter Lake in the Suez Canal between the plaintiffs’ vessel Iran Abad and the defendants’ vessel Merawi . The collision occurred in daylight and in good weather conditions. Both vessels were part of a south bound convoy. Merawi was the lead dry cargo ship (the four vessels in front of her being tankers). Iran Abad was the next vessel behind her. Both ships had been at anchor waiting for a north bound convoy to come past. Iran Abad was anchored 8 cables west-north-west of Merawi. With both vessels stemming the southerly half-knot current, the stern of Iran Abad was about 1 cable ahead of Merawi on her fore and aft line.