Swamping and capsize of potter Blue Hooker with loss of 2 lives

Location: Off Blackchurch Rock, near Clovelly, North Devon, England.

Accident Investigation Report: Blue Hooker

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

blue hooker.pdf (1,046.19 kb)

Summary

Wooden fishing vessel Blue Hooker (PW 250) with two crew on board was swamped and capsized on 12 November 1998. The small open vessel was recovering pots from the seabed off Blackchurch Rock near Clovelly, North Devon, England at the time. Both crew died in the accident. Weather conditions at the time were poor and the sea very rough.

Safety issues

The investigation has concluded that this small open vessel had been operating in unsafe sea conditions and was swamped. Weather conditions were poor all that day, with WNW force 7 winds being recorded at Hartland Point, some three miles from where the vessel was operating. Conditions deteriorated in a squall and the sea became very rough.

Recommendations

Recommendations are made to the MCA concerning the fitting of liferafts, and to marine insurance companies concerning safety equipment carried on fishing vessels.

This report was published on 13 September 1999.

Published 23 January 2015