MV SCOT CARRIER

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Latest news

Master and manager sentenced over fatal collision

On FEb 14,, 2025, Captain Sam Farrow, master of the 'Scot Carrier' at the time of the collision with the 'Karin Høj' on Dec 13, 2021, received an eight-month jail term suspended for a year at Southampton Crown Court. which had resulted in the death of two crew members. The case against the master was that he had not taken safety action despite being aware that his 2nd officer, a 33 year old male, was failing to meet his duties as officer-of-the-watch on the bridge. Ahead of the accident, was alone and had consumed alcohol while chatting to people online on his tablet computer. Navigation alarms were switched off, and he was unaware of th collision damage. Farrow pleaded guilty to failing to operate a ship in accordance with the safety management system. The MCA’s case against Intrada, the in-house manager of UK shipping company Scotline, was that it had previously been made aware of officers-of-the-watch undertaking their duty alone on some of its ships — against regulations and guidance — but had failed to take preventative action. Intrada was found guilty after a four-week trial of failing to operate a ship safely. In June 2022, the 2nd officer was jailed for 18 months in Denmark, having been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after admitting to drinking on the bridge. He was banned from entering Denmark for 12 years, and his licence to operate vessels in Danish waters was revoked.A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) had found the Scot Carrier’s watchkeeper changed course without determining that it was safe to do so. Neither watchkeeper on the two vessels reacted to the developing situation or took action in time to prevent a collision.

Report: 2nd officer of Scot Carrier was distracted by computer chat before collision

A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) found that the watchkeeper of the 'Scot Carrier' was alone on the bridge and distracted by a tablet computer before the collision with the hopper barge 'Karin Hoj' (IMO: 8685844), in the Baltic Sea on Dec 13, 2021. The watchkeeper changed course without determining that it was safe to do so, and neither watchkeeper on the two vessels reacted to the developing situation, or took action in time to prevent the incident. No lookouts were posted on either vessel. The 'Scot Carrier's watchkeeper may also have been influenced by alcohol.The MAIB has asked the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to remind owners that the posting of a lookout in addition to a bridge watchkeeper during the hours of darkness and restricted visibility is an absolute requirement in UK waters and on UK ships. The report found that at 01.48 a.m. LT, the vessel's second officer used his tablet computer to engage with a stranger on a video chat site. At 02.02 a.m. he altered course, while at the same time continuing with his online chat. Shortly afterwards, he switched on the searchlight to show the chat user the vessel's deck and cargo on the forward hatches. He then continued to engage with several different individuals on the chat site. At 03.26 a.m., while still in conversation, the man observed a light close to the 'Scot Carrier' off the starboard bow. He exclaimed "Wait, wait, wait!", pulled back the main engine propeller pitch control lever, switched on a second steering motor and disengaged the autopilot. A minute later, the ship hit the port side of the 'Karin Hoj'. The report found that the 2nd officer did not immediately call the master or raise the alarm, but returned the vessel to its original course and speed. The Danish and Swedish coastguards were alerted to the incident following the activation of the EPIRB of the 'Karin Hoj'. In June 2022, the officer from the 'Scot Carrier' was jailed for 18 months in Denmark. The 30-year-old man was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter after admitting to drinking on the bridge. The officer was also banned from entering Denmark for 12 years, and his licence to operate vessels in Danish waters was revoked. Full report: https://www.havkom.se/assets/reports/S-308_21-ScotCarrier-KarinHoej-ReportAndAnnex.pdf

Two crew members of Scot Carrier over legal alcohol limit

Two crew members on the 'Scot Carrier' were found to be over the legal limit for drugs or alcohol after the collision with the 'Karin Høj', that killed at least one of the two Danish crew members. The other crew member was still missing. The Swedish Prosecution Authority launched a preliminary investigation into several suspected crimes - gross negligence in maritime traffic, causing death through negligence, and marine intoxication. A Briton and a Croatian had been take into custody. In line with standard procedures, all crew members of the 'Scot Carrier' were tested for drugs and alcohol with two crew members exceeding the legal limit. The ship had entered Ystad port on Dec 13 atzt 7.30 p.m. The 'Karin Høj' was to be towed to Skillingen on Dec 14 in order to be righted by the Danish salvage ship 'Susanne A'.