Andrew Moll OBE, the chief inspector of marine accidents, said:
We released our report on the passing of FV Joanna C yesterday, and we are now publishing the report on the passing of FV Nicola Faith.
Tragically, five lives were tragically lost as a result of the two small fishing boats that overturned while using fishing gear.
All small fishing boat operators need to comprehend these catastrophes’ crucial stability lessons and put them into practice.
The first lesson is that alterations can dramatically reduce a vessel’s margin of stability if they are not carefully planned.
The scallop dredger Joanna C had undergone modifications, but these had not yet been fully evaluated when the boat started fishing again.
Unfortunately, the alterations had made Joanna C less stable to the point that it could easily capsize by catching a dredge on a string of pots.
Sadly, only one of the three crew members made it through the collision.
Skippers must be aware of the capabilities of their boats, and before fishing can begin, any modifications or changes to the way they are used must be carefully evaluated and approved.
The second lesson is that when a vessel is overcrowded, it can become unstable. Nicola Faith had been changed, but the change had not received approval.
However, the boat may have been handled carefully and securely.
The crew was transporting a big day’s catch and moving their pots to a new location on the day of the catastrophe.
The boat was not built to carry the combined weight of the catch and the fishing equipment, so it capsized and all three crew members perished as a result.
The desire to land a large catch will always excite fishermen, but moving fishing gear at the same time can be exhausting.
The desire to travel less and carry more as fuel prices rise makes financial sense, but the implications can be disastrous for stability.
These two completely preventable incidents have destroyed the lives of five families. This is my brief message to the crews of all fishing vessels:
Good stability is the first step toward safety; be aware of and operate within your boat’s limits.