Sinking in heavy weather of under 12m netter JCK with loss of 1 life

Location: Tor Bay, England.

Accident Investigation Report 2/2014

Investigation report into marine accident including what happened and safety lessons:

JCK.pdf (5,234.08 kb)

Summary

On 28 January 2013 single handed fishing vessel JCK was heavily laden following a successful day’s fishing in Babbacombe Bay, Devon, England. Despite forecasts of strong winds and seas the skipper decided to leave the shelter of the bay to return to port at Torquay.

When the vessel failed to return a major search was mounted and the skipper’s body was recovered several hours later. Flotsam from JCK was found but the boat was not located and is believed to have foundered in rough seas and winds gusting in excess of 50 knots.

Safety lessons

  • the skipper’s decision to leave the shelter of that bay and return to port through forecast strong winds and seas was an error of judgment

Recommendations

No recommendations have been issued as a consequence of this investigation.

Published: 9 January 2014

Updates to this page

Published 23 January 2015