MAIB report: Flooding and sinking of the fishing vessel Diamond D
The “Diamond D”
Report on the investigation of the flooding and sinking of the fishing vessel Diamond D, 16 August 2020.
Summary:
On 16 August 2020, the UK registered prawn trawler Diamond D was on passage between Eyemouth, Scotland and North Shields, England. The skipper and the vessel’s owner were relocating the boat in order to carry out planned survey and maintenance work. While on route, the two crew carried out a trawl to catch fish, during which the net snagged on the seabed.
Diamond D took on a list as the crew attempted to recover the net by hauling it.
The list worsened considerably, and the vessel sank. The crew abandoned to a liferaft and activated the boat’s emergency position indicating radio beacon. The two crew were subsequently rescued by the local lifeboat service.
The key safety issues identified were:
Hull damage caused by trawl doors hitting the hull as crew attempt to uncross towing wires
Flooding not noticed until it was too late
Crew did not hear the bilge alarm because they left the wheelhouse unmanned and were totally focused on recovering the gear
