As per the information revealed by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) an initial investigation has been started after a report of collision between a cargo ship and a prawn trawler in the Firth of Clyde in the early hours of Wednesday morning came in. The master of the trawler, the SPES BONA V, said that he was fishing for prawns off the Isle of Arran when the 2561 ton LEESWIG, loaded with scrap from Glasgow, bore down on the much smaller vessel, striking it’s port side.
Donald Gibson, of Maybole, Ayrshire, speaking to the media said that his vessel tried to take evasive action when it became clear the cargo ship was not going to alter course. He informed that he showed his lights to make it clear what he was doing but the LEESWIG seemed not to notice him at all, and hit the port side of the trawler. According to Gibson they had been fortunate and that if they, the SPES BONA, had not reacted as they did, the bigger vessel would have crashed straight into them.
It is said that the vessel has suffered some damage but overall safe. After the collision Gibson proceeded to Troon harbour under assistance from Clyde Coastguard. As to the LEESWIG, Gibson said the vessel continued on its way as if nothing had happened.
