MAIB report after two people died in boat accident in Anguilla

The shipwrecked Calypso 2
Calypso 2 aground in the cove. Credit: Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a report into the double fatality and subsequent loss of a small commercial vessel Calypso 2 in Anguilla in 2023.

On 11 March 2023, the small commercial vessel Calypso 2 entered a cove near West End, Anguilla. The boat was overwhelmed by the force of the large ground seas that had developed near the coast and the four passengers and two crew were ejected into the water.

Tragically, the mate and a female passenger lost their lives. Continue reading “MAIB report after two people died in boat accident in Anguilla”

UK MAIB releases first safety digest of 2025

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published its first safety digest of the year. Safety Digest 1/2025 draws the attention of the marine community to some of the lessons arising from investigations into recent accidents and incidents. This information is published to inform the merchant and fishing industries, the recreational craft community and the public of the general circumstances of marine accidents and to draw out the lessons to be learned.

The sole purpose of the MAIB safety digest Continue reading “UK MAIB releases first safety digest of 2025”

MAIB publishes interim report on North Sea collision

CCTV Footage of an ExplosionThe UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released an interim report on the fatal North Sea collision between the container ship Solong and the oil/chemical tanker Stena Immaculate. One of Solong’s crew has never been found and is presumed to have died in the incident which took place 14 nautical miles north-east of Spurn Head at the entrance to the Humber Estuary, England on 10 March 2025.

The report has revealed that neither ship had a dedicated lookout on the bridge. Continue reading “MAIB publishes interim report on North Sea collision”

MAIB investigation into fatalities on board Berge Mawson

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Komite Nasional Keselamatan Transportasi

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has published a report into the deaths of three stevedores in a cargo hold access space on board the bulk carrier Berge Mawson. The incident took place at Bunyu Island anchorage, Indonesia on 27 June 2022.

What happened?

On 27 June 2022, three unconscious stevedores were recovered from a cargo hold access space on board the Isle of Man registered bulk carrier Berge Mawson at Bunyu Island Anchorage, Indonesia. Despite prompt medical attention by ship and port staff, the three men died. Continue reading “MAIB investigation into fatalities on board Berge Mawson”

MAIB voices “serious concern” over Red Sea dive boat accidents

Red Sea dive boat accidents are a big concern for MAIB
Red Sea dive boat accidents are a big concern for MAIB

The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has shared an update on Red Sea dive boat accidents.
The MAIB has been notified of three accidents within the last 20 months affecting UK citizens on Egyptian dive boats operating in the Red Sea. These include: Continue reading “MAIB voices “serious concern” over Red Sea dive boat accidents”

MAIB report into fire on board ro-ro ferry

MAIB publish report about fire on board ro-ro ferry
MAIB publish report about fire on board ro-ro ferry

At 2115 on 11 February 2023, a fire broke out in the engine room of the roll-on/roll-off passenger ferry Stena Europe while on passage from Rosslare, Ireland, to Fishguard, Wales.
The fire on board ro-ro ferry caused significant damage to the engine room but nobody was injured and there was no damage to the environment. The fire was extinguished by the crew.

Safety issues
• The fire ignited on a main engine when pressurised fuel from a loose fuel pipe connection sprayed onto a high temperature exhaust pipe. Continue reading “MAIB report into fire on board ro-ro ferry”

MAIB report: Man overboard from potting vessel Pioneer with loss of 1 life

The skipper of the UK registered potting vessel Pioneer (NN200) accidently entered the water as the vessel was heading back to its beach standing
The skipper of the UK registered potting vessel Pioneer (NN200) accidently entered the water as the vessel was heading back to its beach standing

On the morning of 29 July 2021, the skipper of the UK registered potting vessel Pioneer (NN200) accidently entered the water as the vessel was heading back to its beach standing in Hastings, England. Pioneer’s sole deckhand was unable to pull him back on board and the skipper was later recovered from the water with the help of a rescue helicopter’s winchman and airlifted to hospital, but he could not be revived.

The MAIB investigation found that Pioneer had a low bulwark at its aft deck, which did not prevent the skipper’s fall into the water. At the time of the accident neither the skipper nor deckhand were wearing a personal flotation device, although two were available on board. Continue reading “MAIB report: Man overboard from potting vessel Pioneer with loss of 1 life”

Passenger vessel Oceandiva London breaches hull plating after loss of propulsion

the inland waterways passenger vessel Oceandiva London lost propulsion controlImage credit: Oceandiva London – image courtesy of Andrew Christy.
The inland waterways passenger vessel Oceandiva London lost propulsion control Image credit: Oceandiva London – image courtesy of Andrew Christy.

The UK Maritime Accident Investigation Branch has released its preliminary assessment after, hit a barge and breached its hull plating. At 1430 on 22 June 2023, the inland waterways passenger vessel Oceandiva London (see Figure) lost propulsion control and contacted a moored hopper barge at Halfway Reach on the River Thames, London. Oceandiva London was undergoing propulsion trials as part of its Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) survey required for the issue of a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate. The impact damage to Oceandiva London included breaches to its hull plating above the waterline with deformation of decks and structural frames. There were no passengers on board and none of the six crew or thirteen contractors were injured.Oceandiva London’s propulsion and electrical power Continue reading “Passenger vessel Oceandiva London breaches hull plating after loss of propulsion”

MAIB publishes Annual Report 2023

MAIB annual report published for 2023
MAIB annual report published for 2023

It showed the MAIB received 1,592 reports of marine casualties and incidents last year – involving 1,741 vessels.
While the report showed the number of occurrences raised was higher than usual, in other respects it had been a “fairly average year”.
27 recommendations were issued last year with 26 of them accepted and 13 which have already been implemented.
In terms of safety issues involving merchant ships, Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Captain Andrew Moll OBE, said two accidents stood out last year. Continue reading “MAIB publishes Annual Report 2023”

MAIB report: Two wheelchair users died after wheelyboat capsized

Two wheelchair users died after wheelyboat capsized
Two wheelchair users died after wheelyboat capsized

On 8 June 2022, two wheelchair users lost their lives when a wheelyboat capsized on Roadford Lake, Devon, England. The wheelchair users were residents from a local care home who were participating in a day trip on the lake. When the wheelyboat capsized, the residents who were strapped into their wheelchairs were dragged to the bottom of the lake and drowned. The MAIB investigation found that the wheelyboat had not been correctly maintained, allowing water to leak into the boat and making it unstable, which led to its capsize. The bow ramp seals were not subjected to regular inspection before use and had degraded, compromising the watertight integrity of the wheelyboat. The activity centre had not fully identified the risks or understood the unique needs of operating the wheelyboat with wheelchair users. Continue reading “MAIB report: Two wheelchair users died after wheelyboat capsized”

MAIB issues safety bulletin after fishing vessel Argos Georgia sinks leaving 13 dead

Fishing vessel Argos Georgia sinks leaving 13 deadImage courtesy of Royal Air Force
Fishing vessel Argos Georgia sinks leaving 13 dead Image courtesy of Royal Air Force

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is urging owners, operators and skippers of fishing vessels fitted with side shell doors to ensure suitable and sufficient risk assessment of watertight integrity.

Argos Georgia was a longline fishing vessel registered in St Helena. The vessel foundered while on passage from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands to fishing grounds near the island of South Georgia. Of the 27 persons people on board, 13 perished.

The ongoing investigation has found that the shell door in the starboard side of Argos Georgia descended slowly into the fully open position. This allowed significant quantities of water to enter the vessel. Continue reading “MAIB issues safety bulletin after fishing vessel Argos Georgia sinks leaving 13 dead”

Pair trawlers collision results in flooding and sinking of vessel

Pair trawlers collision during routine fish transfer
Pair trawlers have a collision during routine fish transfer

At 1149 on 6 October 2022, the pair trawlers Guiding Light and Guiding Star have a collision during a routine fish transfer. Guiding Star’s stern was breached, and flooded. The crew unsuccessfully attempted to pump out the floodwater, and the vessel foundered about an hour later. The eight crew evacuated to a liferaft, which capsized during the accident; five were recovered to Guiding Light and the remaining three were winched to a coastguard rescue helicopter. All crew survived unharmed.

Safety issues
• The fish transfer had not been risk assessed and, during the operation, Guiding Light’s wheelhouse was left unattended, which meant the skipper was not at the navigational controls to prevent the collision. Continue reading “Pair trawlers collision results in flooding and sinking of vessel”

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