A FISHING boat sunk after one of the crew went to make a cup of tea, according to a safety investigation.
It led to the four man crew of the Ocean Maid have to be rescued by a lifeboat off the coast of Fraserburgh.
The details are outlined in a Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigation published last week on the second anniversary of the incident.
It reveals how an unnamed watchkeeper left the wheelhouse around 5.30am on October 24, 2022 and went down to the galley to make tea for the crew, before making some course alterations.
Ten minutes later the watchkeeper returned to the galley to finish making the tea and wake them up.
Shortly before 6am the 36-year-old vessel started to go aground as it approached Fraserburgh.
It was then the skipper issued a radio “Mayday” distress call and got his crew into the lifeboat.
The MAIB report said: “The practice of the on-duty watchkeeper making tea for everyone and waking the off-duty crew just before entry into harbour was long-established on board Ocean Maid.
“The vessel grounded because the lone watchkeeper was frequently absent from the wheelhouse in the period before the grounding which meant the vessel’s position was not being effectively monitored.
“The watchkeeper held no formal watchkeeping qualification and was unaware of the vessel’s proximity to the shore.
“Guidance clearly outlines that watchkeepers must be present in the wheelhouse throughout their watch.”
The MAIB investigation, which does not attach any blame for the sinking, said the watchkeeper was likely to have been affected by a lack of sleep.
Before coming on duty he had only slept for five hours.
The report added: “Lack of sleep can impact the ability of watchkeepers to keep an effective watch. It is important that watchkeepers take opportunities to rest, particularly if the watch is during the early morning low attentiveness danger period.
“Ocean Maid grounded on Cairnbulg Point because the watchkeeper had become disorientated as to the vessel’s position as there were insufficient active safeguards in place to mitigate risk and prevent the grounding.”
Cairnbulg Point is a notorious accident blackspot off Fraserburgh which has seen a number of ships wrecked over the years.
Prior to the sinking the Ocean Maid left Eyemouth, Berwickshire, to a shipyard in Fraserburgh for maintenance and repairs.
They crew had been at sea for three weeks fishing for prawns.
On board were the skipper and skipper’s father, who co-owned the vessel, the watchkeeper, who had 20 years fishing boat experience and a deckhand.
The MAIB report said the approach to Fraserburgh Harbour was a routine task that the watchkeeper had completed at least six times before the accident.
He believed they were following the correct route and did not realise that their actions were beginning to turn Ocean Maid towards Cairnbulg Point.
Since the accident the MAIB has issued a safety alert to the fishing industry highlighting lessons to be learned
The report also revealed that the ship owners has put one of their watchkeepers on a navigation course and stopped the practice of the watchkeeper leaving the wheelhouse unattended.
According to the report the company were also now ensuring that watchkeepers are sufficiently rested before they go on duty.
In February this year a man was charged in connection with the sinking of the vessel and the case is due to be heard at Peterhead Sheriff Court.
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