Subsea explosion resulting in damage to crab potting vessel Galwad-Y-Mor and injuries to crew

Location: 22 nautical miles north of Cromer, Norfolk, England.

From:
Marine Accident Investigation Branch
Published
20 January 2022
Vessel type:
Fishing vessel
Report type:
Investigation report
Date of occurrence:
15 December 2020

Accident Investigation Report 1/2022

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened and actions taken:

MAIB investigation report 1-2022: Galwad-Y-Mor

Fishing vessel Galwad-Y-Mor settled low in the water after the accident

Image courtesy of Andrew Oliver

Summary

At 1122 on 15 December 2020, the 15m crab potting vessel Galwad-Y-Mor (BRD 116) was hauling pots in the North Sea approximately 22 miles north-east of Cromer. The crabbing gear disturbed a 250kg unexploded WWII bomb, which detonated on the seabed below the vessel.

The ensuing explosion caused a shock wave that threw Galwad-Y-Mor about, resulting in significant injuries to five of the seven crew and major damage to the vessel’s hull and machinery. Despite their injuries, Galwad-Y-Mor’s crew were able to send a distress message, launch the liferaft, and board rescue boats that had been dispatched by a nearby offshore support vessel. The injured crew were transferred to hospital by helicopter and RNLI lifeboat. They were treated for head, back and knee injuries. Galwad Y Mor was successfully salvaged and has been rebuilt.

Safety Issues

  • Unexploded ordnance can be highly volatile even after many years of being submersed. In the event of encountering a UXO, seafarers are advised to follow the recommendations in MGN 323 (M+F) Explosives Picked Up At Sea

  • Galwad-Y-Mor’s crew could not have anticipated the fouling of a bomb in the potting string and the resulting explosion; their training, experience and emergency preparedness improved their chances of survival

Recommendations

Based on this accident’s circumstances, no action has been taken by external stakeholders and no recommendations made.

The aim of this report is to highlight the dangers that still exist with unexploded ordnance in the seas around the UK, and the actions to take should fisherman encounter any. In this case, the skipper and crew could not have foreseen the explosion and their level of preparedness to deal with such an emergency saved lives.

Shortly after the accident we issued a factual, illustrated preliminary assesment brief detailing our initial findings and ongoing action.

MGN 323 (M+F) Explosives Picked Up At Sea

Published 20 January 2022