The fishing boats are a big problem at night. Many don’t paint on radar and none of them seem overly concerned about the movement of ships around them. The captain was not on the bridge at the time of collision. Why that was, will be examined by the Board investigating the collision and possibly the Courts Martial board. I am not letting the Captain off the hook, did the bridge watch carry out his standing and night orders as they are required to do. My guess is that the bridge watch was negligent in standing their watch. That is the Captains’ responsibility, He qualified them for the watch. These facts will also be part of the collision investigation and possible courts marshal.
The Captain had just taken command a month or so previous to the accident. There is noway he can evaluate staff fitness in such short order.