Media report states that the Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) has carried out a preliminary probe following the grounding of the wellboat, Ronja Skye on Morvern in February this year. MAIB has urged its operators, Sølvtrans Rederi AS, strongly to review the manning levels on board Ronja Skye to ensure that the risks of crew fatigue are reduced, and that a dedicated lookout can be maintained during the hours of darkness.
In February 2010, Ronja Skye departed the Geesgil Island fish farm for the Scottish Sea Farms’ fish processing factory in South Shian, carrying 80 tonnes of live salmon. At 0342, the chief officer altered course to 120º preparing to transit the Sound of Mull (Western Scotland); the speed at the time was 9.3 knots. The vessel grounded on the western shores of Morvern and the master sought assistance from Ronja Pioneer, another Sølvtrans vessel, which arrived at the scene half an hour later, but he did not inform the coastguard of the accident.
As the tide fell, Ronja Skye took on a port list. The crew pumped out 600 cubic metres of water from the fish tanks and the vessel rose approximately 1 metre, thus correcting her list. She was assisted into deeper water by Ronja Pioneer, after which she was able to proceed to port under her own power. The detailed probe revealed that at the time of the accident, the watch officer was probably suffering from fatigue and, as a result, fell asleep. Additionally, he was on watch alone without a dedicated lookout. Although the vessel’s bridge was fitted with a watch alarm, the evidence indicates that it was not functional at the time of the accident.
