Emergency services / Eight crew ‘safe and well’ after fishing boat sinks following collision with another vessel
EIGHT crew members have been rescued after a fishing vessel sank 45 nautical miles south-east of Shetland.
The crew of the Peterhead based Guiding Star H360 declared a mayday before abandoning ship to a liferaft after a collision with another vessel – their sister boat Guiding Light.
HM Coastguard coordinated the response after being alerted just after 12pm today (6 October).
The coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh was a key part of the rescue effort, with rescue teams from both Sumburgh and Lerwick waiting to support if required.
Other vessels nearby also responded to calls for help. All crew members were accounted for after being picked up by assisting vessels and the coastguard helicopter.
Max Rimington, joint rescue coordination centre (JRCC) commander with HM Coastguard, said: “The crew did the right thing by having an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) onboard which helped guide the response.
“We are so thankful everyone is accounted for and grateful to the crew, and the nearby vessels which responded, for helping us achieve a good outcome.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson meanwhile said: “Officers were made aware of a fishing vessel taking on water some 40 miles South/Southwest of Sumburgh, Shetland, close to Fair Isle around 2.10pm on Thursday, 6 October, 2022.
“HM Coastguard rescued three men from the water and transported them by air to hospital in Shetland. The vessel sank.
“The remaining five crew members were taken aboard the sister vessel and are being conveyed to Peterhead.”
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), MCA Counter Pollution and Salvage, the Receiver of Wreck and Northern Lighthouse Board have been informed.
A spokesperson for the MAIB said: “The Marine Accident Investigation Branch has been notified of the collision between the UK registered fishing vessels Guiding Light and Guiding Star off Sumburgh Head, Shetland.
“The collision resulted in the flooding and sinking of the Guiding Star, and the rescue of its eight crew.
“The MAIB has commenced an investigation and a team of inspectors have deployed and will begin gathering evidence. The purpose of the MAIB Investigation is to improve safety and prevent recurrence.”
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