The captain and chief mate of the 'Tyrhaug' have been sentenced to 90 and 45 days in prison on probation on Feb 4. In June 2023, the 'Tyrhaug' and the workboat "Frøy Loke" collided in the area between Smøla and Aure. Four people have been injured in the accident. The court ruled that the two Trøndelag residents in their 40s and 50s acted grossly negligently on the trip between Kristiansund and Trondheim: There was not much traffic on the Edøyfjord, and it was not a matter of a momentary inattention or a misallocation of attention in a demanding traffic situation. Nor were there other reasons that can explain why no lookout was kept. It was incomprehensible that the 'Frøy Loke' was not observed in time before the collision, and the court had no doubt that the collision was caused by grossly negligent navigation. The two must also pay a total of 60,000 Norwegian crowns in fines, and 120,000 Norwegian crowns in compensation to one of the passengers who was subsequently partially disabled as a result of the accident. According to the indictment, the collision occurred because the bridge on the speedboat was not manned in accordance with applicable procedure, and because the bridge guard was not sufficiently observant of other traffic. Both of the two convicted have pleaded guilty. Report with photo and video: https://www.nrk.no/mr/skipperen-og-styrmannen-domde-til-fengsel-etter-hurtigbatkollisjon-1.17251937
News
LOCH RANZA
Due to the ongoing technical issue with the main engine, the service of the 'Loch Ranza' was still liable to disruption or cancellation at short notice on Feb 4. The crew was monitoring the issue with the main engine, while the sailings were expected to operate. On Feb 3, the final sailing of the day departed from Tayinloan to Gigha at 04:30 p.m., and the vessel then had returned to the Gigha South pier for repairs. On Feb 5 the technical issue has been resolved, and the ship was sailing according to schedule.
WOTAN
On Jan 15, 2025, the Federal Bureau of Maritime Accident Investigation (BSU) has published the investigation report on the fire on board the "Wotan" seven nautical miles west of Büsum in the Süderpiep on Aug 18, 2023. The ship sank, the crew was rescued, and the vessel was later recovered with the floating crane "Enak". Experts from the BSU had inspected the partially burnt-out wreck of the shrimp cutter. The exact cause of the fire could ultimately not be determined. The lack of a fire alarm system on board and an anchor watch or fire patrol contributed to the fire only being discovered at a stage where it was no longer possible for the two crew members to react, who were taking a break at the time the fire broke out in the engine room. When the captain discovered the fire by chance, the flames had already spread to the entire engine room and the open companionway. The crew took refuge in a life raft and was rescued by the slifeboat "Theodor Storm" after an emergency call. At the scene of the accident, there was a spill of diesel fuel and hydraulic oil. During the investigation, the BSU identified security gaps in relation to the watch service, fire protection, emergency preparedness and the crew of both the "Wotan" and comparable fishing vessels, the inspection system of the Professional Traffic Association and applicable safety regulations for fishing vessels up to 24 meters length sailing under the German flag. Accordingly, safety recommendations were sent to the Federal Ministry of Transport and the association. These included in particular recommendations on emergency preparedness, such as safety training and continuous, regular training for the entire crew. In addition, regulatory gaps in the operating, construction and equipment regulations for fishing vessels up to 24 meters length must be closed. In addition, a security service should be ensured at all times. The BG Verkehr should refrain from dispensing with fire detection and display systems on fishing vessels. Existing systems should also be checked intensively during inspections. Full report: https://www.bsu-bund.de/SharedDocs/pdf/DE/Unfallberichte/2025/Untersuchungsbericht_444_23.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=3
FRESAN
On Feb 4, 2025, the 'Fresán' suffered a mechanical failure and went adrift four nautical miles from Estaca de Bares. The CCS of Salvamento Marítimo mobilized the SAR boat 'Salvamar Shaula' to assist, which took the fishing vessel in tow and safely pulled it to the port of Cariño.
ARGYLL FLYER
On Feb 4, 2025, the 'Argyll Flyer', serving on the route Gourock-Dunoon, suffered a technical issue with the starboard side main engine. As a consequence, the scheduled departures from Gourock at 12:15 p.m. and Dunoon at 12:45 p.m. had to be cancelled..The following sailings from Gourock at 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p..m. and from Dunoon at 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. were operated as per timetable. After the technical issue has been resolved, the normal timetable has resumed.