Basic Search  |  Summaries  |  Advanced SearchPenalty: £105,284
Year: 2024
Date: 5 July, 2024
Offence Group: safety-related offences
Offence Type: workplace safety or health violation
Violation Description: Laura D Fishing Ltd., a company operating fishing vessels from Brixham, has pleaded guilty to failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a vessel was operated in a safe manner, under Section 100(1) and100(3) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 21 November, 2020, Robert Morley, Adam Harper and David Bickerstaff were onboard the Joanna C, five miles south of Shoreham, when the vessel's gear snagged on the seabed. The vessel's lack of stability meant it could not recover, causing the Joanna C to rapidly sink. Out of the three crew members, only Mr Bickerstaff survived. Prior to the incident, Joanna C, owned by Laura D Fishing, had undergone a major refit in 2019, including the addition of a whaleback, extension of the wheelhouse and fitting raised bulwarks. These, along with other modifications, affected the stability of the vessel. Vessel modifications should only be carried out following consultation with, and approval of, the MCA, as outlined in Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 1871.
Agency: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Source of Data: (click here)