News story

Notice of direction to prohibit access issued

Following the location and identification of the wreck of Nicola Faith, a second Notice of Direction to Prohibit Access to the wreck has been issued by MAIB.

• From: Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 6 April 2021
• Last updated: 17 May 2021 — See all updates

This news article was withdrawn on 2 June 2021

The wreck of the Nicola Faith has been recovered ashore along with any associated debris required by the MAIB. The crane barge has recovered its anchors this morning and is now clear of the site.

The Notice of Direction to Prohibit Access: MAIB DIRECTION No 2/2021 issued on 13 May is hereby revoked.

The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents has issued a ‘Notice of Direction to Prohibit Access’ around the wreck requiring that it be left undisturbed until further notice, pending further action by the MAIB.

NOTICE OF DIRECTION TO PROHIBIT ACCESS

MAIB DIRECTION No 2/2021

WRECK OF NICOLA FAITH 53°20.019’N - 003° 41.876’W

Under the powers contained in:

Regulation 10(6) of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1743)

and

Section 259(2)(d) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995

the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) hereby PROHIBITS access to and/or interference with the wreck of NICOLA FAITH or its equipment, or any vessel operating under direction of the MAIB in and around the position stated, and GIVES DIRECTION requiring that the same shall be left undisturbed and not approached until further notice, pending completion of underwater survey and wreck recovery operations.

Specifically prohibited are: anchoring in the vicinity of the wreck, fishing by nets, trawls or lines in the vicinity of the wreck, and any diving operations on the wreck or its outlying gear.

AND - Approaching the position of the wreck while underwater operations are in progress.

For the purposes of this direction, the vicinity of the wreck shall be taken to be a circle, radius 500 metres, centred on the wreck’s location.

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Published 6 April 2021
Last updated 17 May 2021 + show all updates

1. 17 May 2021

   Following the location and identification of fishing vessel Nicola Faith, and our announcement to raise the sunken vessel, a second Notice of Direction to Prohibit Access to the wreck has been issued by MAIB's Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents.

2. 6 April 2021

   First published.