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MAIB report into collision of tanker and trawler published
On Feb 5, 2026, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published its report about the collision between the 'Apache' and the fishing trawler 'Serinah-GH 116', 13,3 gt (MMSI: 912321884), on April 25, 2024. in the Firth of Clyde, and has prompted investigators to call for mandatory navigation training for small fishing vessel crews, as the near-fatal incident had exposed systemic safety gaps. After the tanker struck the stern trawler , it sank rapidly. The three crew members survived, though theskipper spent around 15 minutes in the water before being rescued by his crewmates, who managed to deploy and board an inflatable liferaft. The investigation found that neither vessel took sufficient action to avoid the collision, despite clear obligations under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS). Crucially, the investigators determined that the crew of the 'SerinahÄ had received no formal navigation training, leaving them unaware of their responsibilities and unable to recognize the developing risk. The MAIB found that although the 'Apache' was the give-way vessel, as the 'Serinah' was restricted in its ability to maneuver while conducting fishing operation, the tanker’s bridge team assumed the trawler would turn clear, based on past experience. No effective avoiding action was taken. The collision occurred shortly after 3:00 p.m., as the 'Serinah' was making circular fishing tows in a seabed depression. When the tanker's bow ran over the trawler’s towing wires, the damage worsened dramatically, causing the trawler to list heavily and sink. The 'Apache' initially continued toward its pilot boarding station at the Finnart Oil Terminal, only turning back after being reminded by Belfast Coastguard of its obligation to render assistance. The investigators noted that the fishing gear limited the 'Serinah'’s maneuverability, and by the time it became clear that the 'Apache' would not alter course, there was little time left to take evasive action. On both vessels, assumptions about the other ship’s intentions and the perceived constraints of the operating area delayed meaningful response until the collision was unavoidable. The MAIB issued three formal safety recommendations, urging to require approved navigation training for skippers and watchkeepers on UK fishing vessels between 7 and 16.5 meters. The tanker manager, the Nereus Shipping S.A., has been advised to improve fleet-wide understanding of fishing vessel behaviour, while the 'Serinah'’s operator, the S & B Fish (Agency) Ltd., has been told to ensure all watchkeepers were properly trained and familiar with the IRPCS. Since the incident, the Nereus Shipping has audited navigational practices across its fleet and introduced revised procedures and in-house training. The Peel Ports Group has also announced plans to upgrade monitoring capabilities at Clyde Port to vessel traffic service standards. Link to full report: https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/collision-between-the-crude-oil-tanker-apache-and-the-stern-trawler-serinah-gh-116
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