Fatigue Leads to Fishing Vessel Grounding in Scotland
The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released a report detailing the grounding and total loss of the prawn trawler Sustain (UL 45) in Loch Broom, Scotland, on November 16, 2023. The incident occurred when the vessel’s skipper fell asleep while on watch, leading to the vessel running aground on rocks. Despite rescue efforts from the crew and local fishing vessels, Sustain could not be refloated and was ultimately declared a total loss.
Investigation Reveals Critical Fatigue Issues
The MAIB’s investigation uncovered that the skipper had been suffering from significant sleep debt, which had accumulated during routine fishing operations. On the day of the accident, the skipper made the decision to set sail early at around 0230 after staying awake overnight to repair the vessel’s deck wash pump. This lack of rest proved detrimental as he attempted to manage his fatigue by drinking coffee and opening windows for fresh air while on watch. Unfortunately, these strategies were ineffective, and he fell asleep, waking only to find the vessel aground.
The report emphasized the serious implications of fatigue, stating, “the power of fatigue and the risk of falling asleep it creates cannot be underestimated.” It highlighted that the accumulated sleep debt from regular fishing activities significantly increases the risk of fatigue-related symptoms, which can impair decision-making and reduce resilience to prolonged wakefulness.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that while the risks associated with fatigue were acknowledged in the vessel’s risk assessments, the necessary control measures were not put into practice. There was no additional crew member assigned to assist with watchkeeping, and crucially, no watchkeeping alarm was installed to alert the skipper of his fatigue. Additionally, the skipper did not adhere to the working time regulations outlined in Merchant Shipping Notice 1884 (F) in the days leading up to the incident.
By the end of November 2023, the damage to the vessel’s hull was extensive, leading to its classification as a constructive total loss. In response to the findings, the MAIB has circulated a safety flyer to the fishing industry, underscoring the dangers of fatigue and the importance of managing sleep debt during fishing operations, although no formal safety recommendations were issued in the report.
