pilot said he observed the Seadaniel's white range and masthead lights closely while the Seadaniel navigated upbound. He stated that he felt their movement indicated the Seadaniel was in "good shape" with nothing wrong.
About 2042, the pilot of the Testbank saw the Seadaniel's navigation lights opening, indicating that the Seadaniel was turning to its right. He recalled thinking that "…he is pulling over just a little bit too soon…" When the Testbank had reached the vicinity of Shell Beach on the right descending bank of the MRGO, the pilot heard the pilot of the Seadaniel's 2042 broadcast. Therefore, the Testbank pilot ordered the vessel further to the right, to course 112º, thinking that the Seadaniel was "…trying to correct some course change…" and to give more room "…to a vessel that is not steering as the pilot orders…" The pilot of the Testbank stated that this further course change to the right would take some pressure off the pilot of the Seadaniel in having to turn to the right at the last minute; however, he did not advise the pilot of the Seadaniel of this further course change to the right. The Testbank's pilot estimated the Testbank to be about 200 feet off the right descending bank at Shell Beach, or about 100 feet from the edge of the channel, with the two vessels ready to meet about one-quarter mile distance apart. The pilot of the Testbank stated that he blew one whistle when his vessel was near Shell Beach proceeding about 5.5 mph over the ground with about a 1-mph current.
About 2043, the pilot of the Testbank said he heard the pilot of the Seadaniel transmit to him via VHF radio channel 67 that "…they put the wheel hard to port on me…" followed by, "…I'm going to throw her back over…" The pilot of the Testbank ordered the engine stopped when he heard the Seadaniel's pilot's transmissions. The Testbank's pilot, who was still closely observing the masthead and range lights of the Seadaniel, observed the continued swing of the Seadaniel to its left and heard the VHF radio transmission from the Seadaniel's pilot stating that he was going full astern. The pilot of the Testbank observed the swing of the Seadaniel to be a "gentle" swing rather than an erratic swing that would be caused by a sheer due to bank effect. The master of the Testbank, who also observed and confirmed the Seadaniel's turn to the left, estimated the Seadaniel to be about 400 to 500m (1,312 to 1,640 feet) away from the Testbank when he saw the left turn commence. The helmsman of the Testbank, who previous was only paying attention to minding his course, looked and saw the Seadaniel turning to its left and coming across the channel centerline. He stated he knew then there would be a collision. His observation was that the Testbank was to the right in the downbound side of the channel. The Testbank's pilot and master both heard the Seadaniel sound the danger signal, and at that time estimated their vessel to be about 100 to 150 feet off the right descending bank about mile 40.9 and making less than 4 mph. The Testbank's pilot ordered the engine put full astern and the rudder put hard to starboard. The engine bell tape reflects that the stop order and astern order came at the same time, 2043 and 40 seconds. The Testbank's pilot ordered and the master sounded the danger signal on the ship's whistle and the ship's general alarm bell. When the Seadaniel was about 5 feet away, the pilot ordered the rudder amidship.
The operator of the Mandy Cenac stated that while observing the Seadaniel's lights, he saw the Seadaniel turn left into the Testbank. While his testimony was generally uncertain, he felt the Testbank was on the "wrong" side of the channel. He said that the Seadaniel's stern was directly in front of his vessel when the two vessels collided. His vessel was about 40 to 50 feet off the left descending bank.
The collision was logged at 2044 in the Seadaniel's and the Testbank's engine room bell books. After the vessels' bows had passed each other, the Seadaniel struck the Testbank's port forecastle. The pilot of the Testbank and the pilot of the
