MARGARET ANNE BM75

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Skipper fined for falling asleep at the helm

The skipper of the 'Margaret 'Anne' has been ordered to pay £10,000 after falling asleep during his watch, causing the vessel to collide with the f/v 'Blackbird' on Jan 15, 2022. Maurice Reid, 44, of Fraserburgh in Scotland, was in charge of the fishing vessel when he started to fall asleep. Moments later the vessel collided with anchored fishing vessel Blackbird in the Shoreham area, off the south coast of Sussex, causing minor injuries to the two men onboard. The crew on the 'Blackbird' had been shouting and waving at the 'Margaret Anne' in an attempt to stop the collision, before pulling on the anchor to ensure minor impact. Unaffected by the hit, the 'Margaret Anne' continued its journey until crew members looked out the window, only then realising their skipper was asleep. At Lewes Crown Court, Reid pleaded guilty to failing to do what was required as master to prevent his ship from causing serious damage to another ship or serious injury to another person, under Section 58 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. Reid also pleaded guilty to failing to maintain a proper look out, under the Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996. Reid was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and pay £10,000 in costs. Report with photos and video: https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2024-07-10/sleeping-skipper-to-pay-10000-for-causing-fishing-boat-crash

Spilled 250 gallons of diesel within Scarborough Harbour

Trawler (All types) Georgelou N, in position lat 54 17 02N, long 000 23 45W, alongside within Scarborough Harbour, reportedly spilled an estimated 250 gallons of diesel, which was observed by Scarborough Deputy Harbour master, floating on the surface, at 1358 hrs, UTC, today. The vessel?s engineer was undertaking fuel exchange between tanks when the spill reportedly occurred. Subsequently, the harbour deployed booms and absorbents pads to contain the spill. Meanwhile, the wind was said to be pushing the spill in the direction of northeast corner of the harbour.

Skippers and owners of two vessel fined for fishing illegally

The skippers and owners of two vessels found to be fishing illegally in Manx waters have been fined a total of £67,000. Mark Frood, master of the "Georgelou N" and Craig Petre of the "Philomena" were found to be fishing for king scallops without a sea fishing licence. Frood was fined £15,000 while Petre was handed a £12,000 fine, and both vessels were ordered to surrender their catches, which were worth over £46,000 combined. The limited companies behind the vessels were each fined £20,000. The "Philomena" was found to have more dredges than is permitted in Manx waters while neither was fitted with an Automatic Identification System - which is required by all British vessels of 15 metres or more. The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture described it as a completely unacceptable example of illegal fishing which will not be tolerated in Manx waters.