Report on the investigation of grounding and subsequent loss of the fishing vessel Ocean Maid (BA 55) on Cairnbulg Point, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on 24 October 2022
Summary:
At 0549 on the 24 October 2022, the UK registered fishing vessel Ocean Maid grounded on Cairnbulg Point to the east of Fraserburgh, Scotland while on passage for planned vessel maintenance and minor repairs. The four crew evacuated to a liferaft and were subsequently rescued by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Two of the crew sustained minor injuries and the vessel later broke up and sank. There was no significant pollution.
The MAIB investigation determined that Ocean Maid grounded on Cairnbulg Point because the watchkeeper had become disorientated as to the vessel’s position because there were insufficient active safeguards in place to prevent the grounding.
The key safety issues identified were:
Navigation without a formal passage plan is extremely hazardous, particularly in coastal waters. The watchkeeper in this case had not had any formal training and was not capable of monitoring a plotted passage plan as they lacked the knowledge and tools to do so.
Being absent from the wheelhouse during a watch was identified as a hazard in the vessel’s risk assessment but was not controlled effectively. Guidance clearly outlines that watchkeepers must be present in the wheelhouse throughout their watch.
Lack of sleep can impact the ability of watchkeepers to keep an effective watch. It is important that watchkeepers take opportunities to rest, particularly if the watch is during the early morning low attentiveness danger period.
Safety recommendations:
In response to this accident the vessel’s owner, Ocean Maid Limited, has supported a watchkeeper to attend recognised navigation courses and altered their onboard practices to ensure watchkeepers do not leave the wheelhouse.
Recommendations have also been made to Ocean Maid Limited to improve the standards of watchkeeping and ensure lighting hazards with the potential to affect night vision are removed from the wheelhouse or reduced to a safe level on equipment fitted to any future vessels it owns.
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