An allision is when a boat hits a fixed object or another boat, different from a collision. Causes include poor visibility, outdated charts, and difficulty maneuvering large vessels. Liability is increased and damage can be hazardous.
An allision is a marine incident in which one boat strikes another or aligns itself with a fixed object such as a bridge. This term is different from a collision, which is where two moving objects hit each other. There may be special legal considerations with an innuendo, namely increased liability on the part of the person who controlled the moving vessel, especially in the case of a large fixed object such as a bridge which should have been easily avoided.
There are a number of reasons an alliance can occur. When one boat strikes another, it may be the result of an anchored boat not displaying the appropriate signals or not using the lighting to ensure that other boats can see it. This can be an especially big problem with small craft and very large vessels; a sailboat can be virtually invisible to people on a supertanker if it’s not well lit. In other cases, vessel operators comply with laws about making sure they are visible and people in charge of another vessel do not see them or lose control of their vessel and have difficulty avoiding the anchored or moored vessel.
Very large vessels can be difficult to stop or turn. In port, they are usually controlled by a tug rather than running under their own power. While navigating at sea, they need considerable warning time to take evasive maneuvers. In situations where a ship is stranded and unable to move, there is a risk of alliance with another ship if it floats helplessly in a shipping lane or other heavily trafficked area. Vessel operators are required to yield to disabled boats, but this can sometimes be difficult.
Objects such as bridges, wrecks, submarine cables, shoals, etc. can also be hit by moving vessels. Outdated charts are a common cause, as people may think the waters are safe and navigable when they are not. Poor visibility can also be a factor, as can malfunctioning navigation systems. Boats may not realize they are near a dangerous object in the water or may not see it until it is too late. Drift, as can happen with an undersea cable being pushed out of position by currents, can also be a problem.
In a covenant, people are usually required to report the accident and are generally held liable for damages unless negligence on the part of the person in control of the repaired item can be identified. A serious concern with allision is the risk of rupture of compartments filled with fuel oil and other materials, which could lead to a hazardous situation caused by the uncontrolled release of chemicals.
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