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China, Iran and Panama have signed an investigation report on the sinking of the "Sanchi"
China, Iran and Panama have signed an investigation report on the sinking of the "Sanchi". 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 the cargo, identification of the crew, time of the collision and process of the accident, according to the ministry. The investigation has been fact-based, legitimate, objective, fair and transparent, offering details on how the accident happened and suggestions on safety management. Differences remained 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 the "Sanchi" to make way as both vessels involved 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 IMO. It was the world's first collision and explosion involving a vessel carrying condensate, an ultra-light crude oil.
Accident investigation to be completed in late May
Investigations uncovering the causes of the accident in which the "Sanchi" burned and sank off the coast of China on January 6 will be completed by late May. There are four parties at fault including Iran, Panama, China and Hong Kong as the Panamanian-flagged Iranian-owned tanker has collided with a Hong Kong-flagged Chinese-owned freighter. Therefore, each country’s share in the Sanchi’s incident will be determined by the end of the Iranian calendar month of Ordibehesht, falling on May 21. Both ships were insured and will be reimbursed accordingly by the international insurance companies. The VDR was also retrieved and being analyzed with representative from all for aforesaid countries in attendance. As per the primary investigations human error was the leading cause of the incident, however, the main party at fault was not decided yet. A team of experts from the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran will travel to China next week and will follow-up on the issue to assert and stand up for the rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran and those who lost their lives in the accident.
Final report on fatal collision to be published in May
The final report on the "Sanchi" loss will be released within a month from now, according to the deputy director for Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization (PMO) on Apr 9, 2018. The report was expected to be completed at the beginning of May. The information stored in the two black boxes (VDRs) have been retrieved. Also the results of the interviews with the crew of the "CF Crystal" will be included in the final report which will be released in Shanghai. Representatives from Iran, South Korea, China and Panama (as the flag state) will be present at the last meeting on the incident.
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