Fisherman on Banff-registered trawler loses limb in accident off Fair Isle
The Marine Accident and Investigation Branch (MAIB) is investigating an accident east of Fair Isle on Friday, which saw a fisherman lose a limb.
Banff-registered Reliance III was fishing 50 nautical miles east of Fair Isle at the time of the accident. At 5am that morning a coastguard helicopter was called to rescue an injured fisherman.
The “prompt actions” of other crew helped the injured man who is now recovering in hospital, according to the boat’s fishing association.
In an update on Tuesday, MAIB added the “amputation of a crew member’s limb” aboard the Reliance III to its list of ongoing investigations.
The Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA), of which Reliance III is a member, said later the same day that the seaman is now recovering in hospital.
“This was an unfortunate incident that led to a severe injury,” said Mike Park, chief executive of the SWFPA.
“Fortunately, the prompt actions of those onboard addressed the situation at hand, which means the seaman is now in hospital recovering safely.”
The investigation is currently at “preliminary assessment” stage. If MAIB officials determine that a further investigation is warranted, they will eventually publish a full accident report.
The vessel is now back at sea fishing, according to satellite tracking data.
Reliance III featured on the BBC’s reality television fishing show Trawlermen in 2022, when her skipper told Grampian Online he wanted to show a camera crew “what fishing is really like and why it can be so dangerous”.