Flooding, capsize and sinking of prawn trawler Diamond D
Location: 20 nautical miles north-east of Tynemouth, England.
Accident Investigation Report 2/2022
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened and actions taken:
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.
Safety Issues
- 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
Recommendations
Although no recommendations are made in this report, it should nevertheless serve as a reminder to fishing vessel crews to be prepared for flooding emergencies, to regularly check under waterline spaces and to wear PFDs at all times while working on deck.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting a number of the safety lessons was produced for this report.