Capsize and sinking of fishing vessel Njord with loss of 1 life
Location: 150 nautical miles north-east of Peterhead, Scotland.
Accident Investigation Report 2/2025
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened and subsequent actions taken:
Summary
On 6 March 2022, the 26.56m UK registered stern trawler Njord capsized 150 nautical miles north-east of Peterhead, Scotland while processing a large haul of fish. All eight crew members entered the water. One crew member lost his life before he could be rescued.
Safety issues
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The investigation found that the net had been secured to the starboard trawl winch while the crew recovered and processed the fish, a position at a time. The weight of the remaining catch acted on a handrail high up on the vessel’s starboard side and, as the fish in the net started to sink, a substantial list developed to the point that downflooding occurred
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A valve in a drain in the weathertight bulkhead on the vessel’s starboard working deck had been left open, which allowed downflooding into the internal spaces of Njord
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None of the crew were wearing personal flotation devices when they abandoned the vessel. Shortly after a rescue helicopter had arrived on scene, Njord sank and the crew entered the water. Seven crew members were rescued uninjured and transported ashore in Norway, but one deckhand drowned
Recommendations
Given the existing guidance on vessel modifications and wearing of personal flotation devices no recommendations have been made in this report.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry was produced with this report, highlighting the importance of reporting major fishing vessel modifications and changes to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
MAIB report 13/2013: Sarah Jayne
MAIB report 29/2015: Stella Maris
Photograph credit
Image courtesy of SAR helicopter.