Capsize of single-handed creel fishing vessel Goodway with loss of 1 life
Location: Near Cairnbulg, Scotland.
Accident Investigation Report 11/2022
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken, and recommendations:
Summary
On the evening of 16 October 2021, the coastguard was informed that the 6.85m UK registered creel fishing vessel Goodway was overdue returning to its home port. A search and rescue operation was started and Goodway’s upturned hull was located at 2233, but its single occupant, the skipper, was not found. He is presumed to have fallen overboard and died while trying to free creels that had become fast in rocks on the seabed.
Safety Issues
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single-handed fishing is known to be high-risk and fishers are advised to follow industry guidelines to minimise the chance of being pulled overboard
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the vessel was not equipped with an EPIRB and the PLB purchased by the skipper did not meet the regulatory requirement to transmit to satellites on 406MHz
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an inspection of Goodway by a Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyor to verify that previously recorded deficiencies had been rectified did not identify that the PLB purchased as an alternative to an EPIRB was not of the approved type
Recommendations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is recommended (2022/133) to issue an Advice Note to remind surveyors of the different types of PLBs that may be encountered and which of these are acceptable alternatives to the vessel being equipped with an EPIRB.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting a number of the safety lessons was produced for this report.
Other similar investigation reports include: