Serious injury to a crew member on board the stern trawler

In a tragic incident on October 17, 2025, a crew member aboard the UK-registered fishing vessel Reliance III suffered a severe injury when their lower right arm was severed by the onboard ice generator. The crew member was alone during trawling operations in the North Sea when they attempted to investigate a malfunctioning ice generator. Despite immediate medical attention, the limb could not be reattached, prompting a thorough review of safety protocols aboard the vessel.

Incident Overview

At approximately 5:00 AM, the crew member noticed irregularities with the ice generator while monitoring the fish room’s closed-circuit television. Concerned about the malfunction, they left the wheelhouse to inspect the machine. During the inspection, the crew member accidentally dropped an inspection hatch cover into the generator’s drum. As they reached in to retrieve it, their right arm became trapped in the rotating reamer of the ice generator.

Despite attempts to stop the machine, the reamer continued to operate for about four minutes, ultimately severing the crew member’s arm. After managing to switch off the electrical supply, the injured individual called the skipper using a mobile phone and activated the general alarm. The skipper promptly administered first aid by applying a tourniquet and contacted His Majesty’s Coastguard for helicopter assistance.

By 6:01 AM, a paramedic was winched onto the Reliance III, and the injured crew member was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for emergency treatment. Unfortunately, medical professionals were unable to reattach the severed limb.

Safety Findings and Actions Taken

The preliminary assessment revealed several critical safety oversights. Notably, the crew member left the wheelhouse unattended during active trawling operations. The ice generator was not turned off prior to the inspection, and there were no interlocks to prevent operation while inspection covers were removed. Additionally, the crew member did not inform others about the maintenance activity, and there was insufficient signage warning of the risks associated with the ice generator.

In response to the incident, Reliance Fishing Company Limited has implemented several safety measures. These include the installation of an emergency stop button on the ice generator, the introduction of lock-out/tag-out procedures for machinery maintenance, and improved labeling to indicate that inspection covers must not be removed while the machine is running. Furthermore, the company has reinforced crew training on ice generator maintenance and updated risk assessments for all rotating equipment.

Given these actions, the safety issues have been sufficiently addressed, and a full investigation will not be conducted at this time.