GUIDING STAR H360

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Report into sinking of trawler published

An investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has been published regarding the sinking of the Peterhead-based ÄGuiding Star H360' south-east of the Shetland Islands on Oct 6, 2022, after colliding with the partner trawler 'Guiding Light'. It found out that the skipper of the 'Guiding Light' had left the wheelhouse unattended while the two vessels were transferring the cod end and did not perceive the risk of leaving the wheelhouse while in close proximity to the partner vessel.. The bow of the 'Guiding Light' punched a hole in the stern of the 'Guiding Star', flooding the accommodation and causing the vessel to sink. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report statesd that the skipper was excited to see the catch after several days of intensive fishing and was not in the wheelhouse. The 'Guiding Light’s engineer Kriss Leel received an award for exceptional seamanship for his quick thinking and saving the lives of five fellow fishermen during the incident. The MAIB report makes several recommendations, including how life jackets and survival suits should be better stored, that crews should be informed about what to do in the event of flooding and that the wheelhouse should not be left unattended. Full report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66faaf893b919067bb48298a/2024-13-GuidingLight-GuidingStar-Report.pdf

Owner and skipper thanked rescuers

The owners and the skipper of the 'Guiding Star' which sank off the coast of the Shetland Islands have thanked everybody involved in their rescue. All eight crew members were rescued on Oct 6 after the collision with the 'Guiding Light' about 52 miles off south-east Shetland around 12 p.m. The crew took to a life raft with five taken safely on board the 'Guiding Light', while three others were rescued by the Shetland Coastguard helicopter. The owners, Livingstone LLP, said: “Both ourselves and the skipper of the vessel would like to pay tribute to all of those who participated in the safe rescue of the crew. Our thanks go to HM Coastguard for co-ordinating the rescue, the Sumburgh Coastguard helicopter crew, the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick, the Scottish Ambulance Service in Shetland, those vessels that were near the scene of the incident that stood by, and the Fishermen’s Mission in Shetland, Inverness, Peterhead and Aberdeen for ongoing support.” The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) Counter Pollution and Salvage branch, the Receiver of Wreck and the Northern Lighthouse Board have been informed.

Crew safe after fishing vessel sank

All eight crew members have been rescued after the 'Guiding Star-H 360' sank 45 nautical miles south-east of Shetland following a collision with their sister ship 'Guiding Light' on Oct 6, 2022, just after 12 p.m. The HM Coastguard coordinated the response after being alerted and sent the SAR helicopter based at Sumburgh and rescue teams from both Sumburgh and Lerwick to the scene. Other vessels nearby also responded to calls for help. All crew members were accounted for after being picked up by assisting vessels and the coastguard helicopter, which rescued three men from the water and transported them by air to hospital in Shetland. The remaining five crew members were taken aboard the sister vessel and taken to Peterhead. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), MCA Counter Pollution and Salvage, the Receiver of Wreck and Northern Lighthouse Board have been informed. The MAIB has commenced an investigation and a team of inspectors have deployed and will begin gathering evidence. Report with photo and video: https://www.shetnews.co.uk/2022/10/06/crew-safe-and-well-after-fishing-boat-sinks-south-east-of-fair-isle/