Freedom II report and safety flyer published

Operational Briefing: Lessons from the Foundering of Freedom II

What Happened:   

On 21 February 2024, the prawn trawler Freedom II, a 15.94m fishing vessel, foundered approximately 11 nautical miles south-west of Oban, Scotland. The incident began with a progressive flood into the engine room. While the exact source of the ingress could not be definitively identified, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) concluded that the most likely cause was a vibration-induced fracture of the seawater suction pipe for the deck wash pump. This pipework was found to be unsupported and lacked flexible couplings, making it vulnerable to fatigue. Despite the efforts of the four crew members, who were all safely rescued, the rate of flooding overwhelmed the vessel’s pumping capacity, leading to its eventual sinking and total loss.

Immediate Operational Checks:

Fellow officers and independent mariners must immediately review their vessel’s seawater pipework installations, particularly those susceptible to vibration. Ensure all pipe assemblies are adequately supported and incorporate flexible couplings or bellows where necessary to absorb engine vibrations. Verify the operational readiness and effectiveness of all bilge pumping systems, including auxiliary and portable pumps, ensuring reliable power supplies and readily accessible starting mechanisms. Crews should also be drilled in emergency response procedures for progressive flooding, emphasizing prompt identification and isolation of the leak source, and effective communication with shore authorities, including the use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) alerts.

Lessons Learned:

• Unsupported and inflexible seawater pipework is highly susceptible to vibration-induced fatigue and fracture.
• Inadequate bilge pumping capacity and unreliable auxiliary pumping systems can quickly lead to a loss of control during progressive flooding.
• Failure to promptly identify and isolate the actual source of flooding can exacerbate the situation.
• Water ingress affecting electrical panels can disable critical emergency equipment, such as auxiliary generators and pumps.
• Delays in emergency communication, particularly in areas of poor signal coverage, can hinder timely assistance.
• The importance of regular maintenance and inspection of all critical systems, especially those exposed to constant vibration.

Tags: Flooding, Foundering, Fishing Vessel, Pipe Failure, Bilge Pumps, Emergency Response

Official Report

Read the full safety report here: Freedom II report and safety flyer published