Grounding and sinking of potter Rachel Harvey with loss of 1 life
Location: Peninnis Head, Isles of Scilly.
Accident Investigation Report 23/2000
Investigation report into marine accident including what happened, safety lessons and recommendations made:
(1,575.66 kb)
Summary
On 1 October 1999 specialist potting vessel Rachel Harvey, with six crew on board, was heading for St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly in poor weather. Approaching the eastern end of St Mary’s Sound the vessel ran aground on Peninnis Head and foundered within two or three minutes. The crew abandoned ship and one lost his life.
The grounding occurred due to poor navigational management and an over-reliance on the automatic track control system.
Published: 31 July 2000
Updates to this page
Published 23 January 2015