CAPSIZE AND FOUNDERING OF THE FISHING VESSEL NJORD RESULTING IN ONE FATALITY: MAIB REPORT

Summary:

On 6 March 2022, the 26.56m UK registered stern trawler Njord capsized 150 nautical miles north-east of Peterhead, Scotland while processing a large haul of fish. All eight crew members entered the water. One crew member lost his life before he could be rescued.

The key safety issues identified were:

• The investigation found that the net had been secured to the starboard trawl winch while the crew recovered and processed the fish, a position at a time. The weight of the remaining catch acted on a handrail high up on the vessel’s starboard side and, as the fish in the net started to sink, a substantial list developed to the point that downflooding occurred.
• A valve in a drain in the weathertight bulkhead on the vessel’s starboard working deck had been left open, which allowed downflooding into the internal spaces of Njord.
• None of the crew were wearing personal flotation devices when they abandoned the vessel. Shortly after a rescue helicopter had arrived on scene, Njord sank and the crew entered the water. Seven crew members were rescued uninjured and transported ashore in Norway, but one deckhand drowned.

Safety recommendations:

Given the existing guidance on vessel modifications and wearing of personal flotation devices, no recommendations have been made in this report.

Image copyright courtesy of  ‘SAR helicopter’.

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