No lookouts caused island trawler sinking 13/10/11
A collision between two Stornoway fishing vessels was caused by the crew of both boats failing to maintain a proper lookout, and not keeping a safe navigational watch according to a report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
A Lewis fisherman, the sole person onboard, was saved from the Sapphire which sunk after being hit by the MFV Silver Cord four miles off Bayble, Point around 6.40pm on 12th January this year.
The Sapphire was stopped in the water while her skipper, who was operating single-
The Sapphire’s hull was penetrated and the fish hold quickly started
to flood. Her skipper reported the accident to the coastguard, and
transferred to the Silver Chord before the Sapphire sank at about 6.50pm. The Silver Chord was also damaged, but was able to return to Stornoway under her own power. There were no injuries.
The probe found that the skipper of Silver Chord spent much of his time under the shelter helping his crew sort the catch for landing and did not see the Sapphire which was stationary in the water.
The skipper of the Sapphire was working single-
The MFV Sapphire
Andrew Walker
The investigation identified a number of factors which contributed to the collision including that neither skipper was aware of the proximity of the other vessel despite both vessels displaying navigation lights and deck floodlights, and both vessels being equipped with working radars.
The Silver Chord’s wheelhouse was left unattended for substantial periods of time before the accident while her skipper and crew worked in a fully enclosed shelter.
The visibility ahead from Silver Chord’s wheelhouse was impaired by the vessel’s shelter and deck fittings.
The Sapphire’s skipper had been focused on recovering the fishing gear. His view
from the aft working deck was obstructed by the vessel’s accommodation and wheelhouse,
which prevented him from maintaining a proper and effective lookout making the single-
The report recommends that the Maritime and Coastguard Agency ensure that vessel design and the ability to keep a proper lookout are key factors for determining whether a fishing vessel is sufficiently manned.
The Silver Chord