GROUNDING AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF FISHING VESSEL CRYSTAL STREAM

Summary

Just after midnight on 6 June 2025, the UK registered prawn trawler Crystal Stream (LH 147) struck an underwater obstruction near Barmore Island, Loch Fyne, Scotland. Shortly afterwards, the skipper intentionally beached the vessel on the rocky shore, where the crew abandoned to a liferaft.

Crystal Stream was later declared a constructive total loss, and the vessel was broken up and removed from site.

The key safety issues identified were:

• The skipper, who was the lone watchkeeper at the time of the grounding, was highly likely fatigued due to their schedule in the week before the accident.
• The vessel’s safety management was inadequate, failing to address key operational areas including navigational practices, risk assessments and crew medical fitness.
• Crystal Stream’s crew did not receive an induction on joining and a lack of regular drills resulted in them being unfamiliar with the vessels’ lifesaving equipment and emergency procedures.

Safety recommendations:

M & I MacKinnon Ltd is recommended to:

Improve the safety management of its vessels through:

• The adoption of a safety management system aligned with the Fishing Safety Management Code.

• The implementation of watchkeeping procedures aligned with Maritime and Coastguard Agency guidance.

• The implementation of a fleetwide fatigue management system to ensure that crew on board its vessels are provided with adequate rest.

Image: ©Gordon Macrae. Marine Traffic

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