Pipe Failure Likely Caused Shetland Trawler's Sinking, Says MAIB
The failure of a trawler's pipework is likely to have caused a rapid and uncontrolled flood in its engine room before it sank, according to accident investigators. The Opportune's eight crew were rescued uninjured in the incident 36 miles (58km) east of Lerwick, Shetland, on 24 March 2024.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) said the source of the flood could not be established, but the most likely cause was a failure of the boat's seawater pipework. The pipes were more than 20 years old, difficult to inspect, and corrosion may have gone unnoticed.
In a new report, the MAIB said the crew was unable to control the flood because seawater inlet valves were not easily accessible and electric bilge pumps could not be operated from outside the space. The skipper raised the alarm and the crew abandoned ship in good time, faced with a rapidly sinking vessel.
The MAIB has made safety recommendations, including that the Opportune's owners ensure its crews understand seawater pipework systems and regularly practice how to respond to a flood. This incident highlights the importance of regular maintenance and inspection of critical systems on vessels to prevent similar accidents in the future.
