Collision between pair trawlers Guiding Light and Guiding Star resulting in Guiding Star flooding and sinking
Location: 33 nautical miles south-east of Fair Isle, Scotland.
Accident Investigation Report 13/2024
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations:
Summary
At 1149 on 6 October 2022, the pair trawlers Guiding Light and Guiding Star collided during a routine fish transfer. Guiding Star鈥檚 stern was breached, and flooded. 皇冠体育app crew unsuccessfully attempted to pump out the floodwater, and the vessel foundered about an hour later. 皇冠体育app eight crew evacuated to a liferaft, which capsized during the accident; five were recovered to Guiding Light and the remaining three were winched to a coastguard rescue helicopter. All crew survived unharmed.
Safety issues
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皇冠体育app fish transfer had not been risk assessed and, during the operation, Guiding Light鈥檚 wheelhouse was left unattended, which meant the skipper was not at the navigational controls to prevent the collision.
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As a fishing vessel less than 24m in length, Guiding Star was not required to meet any damage stability criteria. Consequently, when floodwater entered the hull it caused a rapid reduction in buoyancy and loss of stability. 皇冠体育app accident has highlighted the importance for fishermen to be prepared for such emergencies and to know when to abandon ship. 皇冠体育app Fishermen鈥檚 Safety Guide, published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) provided guidance to help crews develop flood action plans, and Marine Guidance Notice (MGN) 570 Amendment No.1 (F): Fishing Vessels: Emergency Drills provided drill scenarios to practice such plans.
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皇冠体育app lifejackets and immersion suits on board Guiding Star were stored in crew cabins that had flooded, rendering them inaccessible before abandonment. MGN 570 (F) advised fishermen to consider suitable storage locations for lifejackets.
Recommendations
皇冠体育app Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been recommended (2024/134) to review its flooding prevention guidance to ensure that the consequences of flooding on fishing vessels are highlighted appropriately. 皇冠体育app manager of the vessels has been recommended (2024/135 and 2024/136) to evaluate the impact of fishing operations on watchkeeping and make sure that its crews are prepared for flooding emergencies.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry was produced with this report, signposting the importance of keeping a safe navigational watch at all times; emergency preparedness and understanding individual鈥檚 fishing vessel survivability.
MAIB report 10/2018: Ocean Way
MSN 1872 (F) Code of safe working practice for fishing vessels
MGN 313 (F) Keeping a safe navigational watch on fishing vessels
MGN 165 (F) Fishing vessels the risk of flooding
MGN 570 Amendment No. 1: (F) Fishing vessels: emergency drills
MGN 629 (M+F) Construction and outfit standards for fishing vessels of 15m to 24m
Survey and inspection of fishing vessels chapters 1 to 17 (MSIS 27)
Prevent flooding on fishing vessels: guidance leaflet
Photograph credit
Image of Guiding Light and Guiding Star courtesy of .