MAIB

The line hauling hatch of fishing vessel Argos Georgia unexpectedly opened in heavy seas, which led to uncontrolled flooding and the vessel’s eventual sinking, killing 13 crewmembers, according to the final investigation report from the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Rob Loder, said: “This was a tragic accident resulting in the loss of 13 lives. Fishing in the remotest and most hostile parts of our oceans requires strict adherence to the maintenance of a vessel’s watertight integrity. Should a problem arise a quick, clear and efficient emergency plan should be executed. Training and safety drills provide the best chance of survival in such extreme circumstances.” Continue reading “Argos Georgia sank killing 13 due to hatch failure”

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its final report on an incident that left a deckhand seriously injured while working on scallop dredger Jacoba.

The MAIB also published a safety flyer with safety lessons and considerations to the fishing industry.

What happened

On 10 May 2025, a deckhand on the UK registered fishing vessel Jacoba was seriously injured while the vessel was dredging for scallops in the English Channel. Continue reading “Crewmember crushed by equipment on scallop dredger Jacoba”

Exhaustion combined with ineffective fall prevention measures led to a fatal man overboard incident on crab potting vessel Amadeus (TH7). The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report into the incident. They have also published a safety flyer to the fishing industry about the dangers of pot hauling and the need for effective fall prevention measures, including fatigue management. Continue reading “Deckhand died after falling overboard potting vessel Amadeus in North Sea”

An investigation found risk assessments were not being followed on Wilaya after a deckhand was dragged overboard a potting and died off the Welsh coast last year.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published a safety flyer along with the report saying potting is one of the most hazardous fishing methods. The accident on board Wilaya was the sixth fatality on board UK potting vessels in the 20 months from October 2023 to May 2025, highlighting the vulnerability of fishermen operating in the sector. Continue reading “Fisherman’s death highlights risk of entanglements on potting vessel Wilaya”

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its final report into the grounding and loss of fishing vessel Crystal Stream last year. A safety warning was also issued after it was found that the watch alarm in the wheelhouse was not connected to the autopilot and was not operating at the time of the accident.

What happened

At just after midnight on 6 June 2025, the UK registered prawn trawler Crystal Stream (LH 147) struck an underwater obstruction near Barmore Island, Loch Fyne, Scotland. Shortly afterwards, the skipper intentionally beached the vessel on the rocky shore, where the crew abandoned to a liferaft. Continue reading “Dangers of lone watchkeeping and fatigue highlighted after loss of prawn trawler”

Sea trials in the Firth of Forth, Scotland that ended in catastrophic engine failure and a fire on board a vessel last year was caused by substitute components said a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

What happened

At 1305 on 25 January 2025, the site investigation vessel Kommandor Susan suffered a catastrophic failure of a diesel generator engine while conducting sea trials in the Firth of Forth, Scotland. The failure resulted in an engine room fire and a complete power blackout. Continue reading “Kommander Susan fire caused by substitute engine components, says MAIB”

Two deckhands went overboard from potting vessel Weston Bay (GY123) off Spurn Head resulting one fatality, an investigation by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found.

The MAIB also released a safety flyer with the investigation report following the incident.

What happened

At about 0820 on 22 May 2024, two deckhands went overboard during deployment of the fishing gear from the UK registered potting vessel Weston Bay Continue reading “Fisherman dies saving fellow deckhand in man overboard emergency”

A passenger died following a fall while 100 others were injured after cruise ship Spirit of Destiny hit heavy weather in its voyage, according to an accident investigation report by UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).

What happened

Shortly after 1230 on 4 November 2023, the passenger vessel Spirit of Discovery lost propulsion in heavy weather while crossing the Bay of Biscay. This led to the vessel moving violently while the crew restarted the vessel’s propulsion. The propulsion issues, storm force conditions and vessel motion continued until the vessel was able to resume its passage the following morning. Over 100 passengers were injured during this period. Eight of the seriously injured passengers were taken directly to hospital on arrival at Portsmouth, England. One of these passengers, Trevor Gilks, later died from his injuries. Continue reading “Passenger died following fall on cruise ship Spirit of Destiny received ‘suboptimal treatment’”

Stern trawler Opportune sank in 2024 due to “rapid and uncontrollable engine room flood” said the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) in a final report.

The skipper’s decision-making skills and the crew’s training meant all of Opportune’s eight crew were rescued uninjured from the vessel’s liferafts by coastguard helicopters. Unfortunately, the vessel was not recovered.

Alongside the investigation report, the MAIB released a safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting that on average, over seven fishing vessels are lost every year due to flooding. It also urged fishing vessel owners to have a maintenance plan for their vessel’s seawater pipework to ensure that it is routinely inspected and, if necessary, tested. The saltwater environment is very corrosive, and hot dipped galvanised pipework has a limited life, so replacement should be expected over a 20-year vessel operational life. Continue reading “Uncontrollable engine room flood sank trawler Opportune, says MAIB”

A report regarding a scrap metal fire in the cargo hold of bulk carrier Altay has highlighted the importance of cargo loading monitoring and cargo pre-loading inspection.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a preliminary assessment of the incident which took place in 2025. Nearby residents and business owners had been advised to keep their doors and windows securely closed while firefighters tackled the blaze. Continue reading “MAIB publishes preliminary report on scrap metal fire on Altay”