MAIB Report: Grounding and Loss of Prawn Trawler “Sustain”

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has recently released its findings on the November 2023 incident involving the prawn trawler Sustain (UL 45) at Loch Broom, Scotland.

On the fateful night of November 16, 2023, the vessel grounded on rocks at Loch Broom’s entrance after the skipper fell asleep at the wheel. Despite rescue efforts by the crew, other fishing vessels, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the attempts to refloat the vessel were unsuccessful.

Investigations revealed that the skipper had accumulated significant sleep debt from normal fishing operations and had decided to sail early after staying up all night to repair the deck wash pump. While returning to Ullapool after a day’s fishing, the skipper, alone on watch, tried to combat fatigue with coffee and fresh air but ultimately failed as the vessel ran aground.

The MAIB report emphasized the dangers of fatigue, highlighting how sleep debt can impair decision-making and increase vulnerability to fatigue-related symptoms. It was noted that despite recognizing the hazard of ineffective watchkeeping due to fatigue, the vessel’s established control measures were not implemented.

Furthermore, the skipper was found to be non-compliant with working time regulations before the accident, leading to the vessel’s eventual total loss by the end of November 2023.

While the MAIB has issued a safety flyer to the fishing industry addressing the risks of fatigue and sleep debt accumulation, no formal safety recommendations were included in the report.