GovWire

Completed preliminary assessment (PA) summary 1/24: Crig-A-Tana

Synopsis

At 1207 on 12 November 2022, the UK registered 7.47m potter Crig-A-Tana rapidly capsized and foundered approximately 6 nautical miles (nm) south-east of Lizard Point, Cornwall, England while engaged in fishing operations. The two crew members were uninjured and there was no significant pollution as a result of the accident.

At about 0530 on 12 November 2022, Crig-A-Tana sailed from Cadgwith Cove, Cornwall, England with the skipper/owner (the skipper) and a deckhand on board, arriving at its first string of pots at about 0700. Over the next 4.5 hours, the skipper and deckhand hauled and reshot six strings of pots, storing their catch in boxes on the fishing vessels deck. At about 1130, as the last string of pots was being hauled, Crig-A-Tana rapidly developed a list to port.

The skipper, who was in the wheelhouse, applied starboard helm in an attempt to counter the vessels list. As Crig-A-Tana began to list further the skipper pressed the very high frequency Digital Selective Calling button on the vessels radio to transmit a distress call. However, before completing the operation the stricken vessel suddenly capsized. The skipper escaped through a wheelhouse window and the deckhand swam clear of Crig-A-Tana from the deck.

The two crew activated their personal flotation devices then the deckhand climbed onto the upturned hull and pulled the skipper up onto it. They then attempted to release the liferaft attached to the outboard side of the cat catcher at the stern but Crig-A-Tana sank before it was fully released. Shortly afterwards, the hydrostatic release units on the liferaft and Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) were triggered, and they both surfaced and activated automatically.

The skipper and deckhand swam to the liferaft, climbed on board and were rescued 73 minutes later.

Crig-A-Tana had been extensively modified in the 2 years since its purchase in 2019, with funding provided by the European and UK governments, administered by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The modifications included:

• a replacement wheelhouse and equipment;

• a new engine;

• various structural changes to the deck area; and

• the installation of new life-saving equipment, including an EPIRB.

The MMO application process required the owner to engage with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) before and during any modifications being made and before the funds were released. The MCA requirements contained in section 1.9 of the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall also required an owner to notify the MCA of any proposed modifications to their vessel.

The skipper had fulfilled these obligations and engaged with the MCA before, during and after completion of the modifications. The local marine office issued a carving note dated 12 May 2021 at the vessels change of name from Northwood to Crig-A-Tana following completion of the modifications (see Figure). The skipper provided information to the MCA on demand, as a result of which an inspection of the vessel by an MCA surveyor was not undertaken.

The MAIBs preliminary assessment identified that:

• The list possibly developed quickly because of seawater ingress on deck through the open aft shooting door due to the vessels loaded condition.

• The recent modifications that had been made to Crig-A-Tana most likely adversely affected its stability. This may have contributed to its capsize and foundering.

• The skipper and deckhands emergency preparedness and prompt actions to launch the liferaft and activate the EPIRB facilitated their rapid rescue.

Actions taken

As a result of previous MAIB investigations and recommendations made to the MCA and MMO, the interface between the two organisations had improved. Following the loss of Crig-A-Tana the MCA and MMO have discussed the funding application and approval process and made further amendments to improve it, including the requirement for positive reporting, closer oversight of projects and more frequent meetings between the two organisations.

The MCA has updated chapter 1 of MSIS 27^{[footnote 1]} to clarify survey and inspection requirements following a vessels change of ownership, change of name, and modifications.