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Scotland & NI 143/01
11 May 2001

‘LYSFOSS’ HAD 2 NEAR MISSES WITH FISHING VESSEL
Story by: Tony Black, Ken Jones and Angus Macdonald
Courtesy Aberdeen Press & Journal

A skipper spoke yesterday of two near-miss incidents involving the grounded cargo vessel ‘Lysfoss’.

The revelation came on the same day that Highland councillors agreed to press Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for tighter controls on vessels navigating the Minch.


Skipper had two near-misses with 'Lysfoss'
Incidents involving the 4,529-tonne Norwegian ship, which ran aground on the rocky Morvern coast, north of Drimnin, early on Monday, have now prompted investigations by marine safety officials on both sides of the North Sea.

Skipper George Coull said the near-miss incidents involving his 40ft Mallaig-registered fishing-boat the ‘Caroline C’ had been "too close for comfort", resulting in him and his two-man crew having to take evasive action.

The alleged incidents took place in April and May last year, both in the same place, and were reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) in Glasgow. The agency passed on details to the Norwegian Marine Directorate for investigation.

On both occasions, Mr. Coull, 47, was trawling in the Sound of Sleat, along with his son, also George, and another crewman, Ben Mathieson.

"The ‘Lysfoss’ passed quite close and did not appear to be making any alteration to her course whatsoever," said Mr. Coull, a fisherman for 30 years.

"She was less than 100 yards away and too close for comfort. We had to alter course, which was very difficult because we were towing gear but when you have a large ship bearing down on you at 12 knots, it was all we could do." Mr. Coull added: "We could see the inside of the wheelhouse and it did not appear there was anyone there. On one of the occasions, there was a crewman on top of the wheelhouse, painting with a roller.

"When you can see someone that clearly, it is a bit dangerous for my size of boat. It was a bit scary," he said.

"Maybe she would not have struck us but she was very close to it. After 30 years' experience at sea, I was not going to wait and see, but altered course."

Mr. Coull said he had been displaying the appropriate fishing signals at the time, which should have resulted in the ‘Lysfoss’ altering course, not the other way round.

Both incidents were reported on official forms to the MCA in Glasgow.

A spokesman for the MCA said: "We are aware of the two incidents. This was not reported directly to the MCA by the fishing skippers when the incidents happened. This would have helped our inquiries. But when the MCA in Glasgow was informed, a report was sent to the MCA in Southampton. This was passed on to the Norwegian Marine Directorate, asking them to investigate.

"There was no response by September and another letter was sent but there has been no response from them to that letter either."

Hugh Allen, secretary of the Mallaig and North-west Fishermen's Association, suggested that there should be a dedicated radio channel for cargo ships and trawlers to speak to each other as they pass in the Minch.

He also claimed that the ‘Lysfoss’ was one of the worst offenders for "close-quarters incidents" and warned that if this continued, sooner or later something would happen.

Mr. Allen added: "We have reported the two incidents affecting the trawlers to the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). We cannot say what happened with the ‘Lysfoss’. That is up to the investigators. But fishermen are noticing that more and more ships are coming through the Minch with insufficient people on watch."

Highland councillors yesterday agreed to call on Westminster to tighten up navigation rules or face an environmental disaster.

At a full meeting of Highland Council yesterday, land and environment chairman Michael Foxley told members: "At the moment, the management of vehicles in the Minch is a free-for-all.

"The fundamental issue is to remove the right of independent passage and I'd appreciate the convener taking this matter up."

Mr. Foxley dismissed the claim that altering the present scheme would prompt other countries to take similar action against British vessels.

Backing calls to examine the issue, Councillor Bill Fulton, chairman of the Tankers in the Minch Group and the council's protective services spokesman, highlighted the situation near Tobermory.

"We are lucky that it happened in good weather. Had it been bad weather, the ship would have been ripped apart and fish-farming, tourism and the coastline would have been ruined.

"We do need a meeting at the highest possible level of Government and I'm asking for the support of this council for that. I know Argyll and the Western Isles will support us on this."

Councillors heard from chief executive Arthur McCourt that although efforts to contain the 130 tonnes of intermediate fuel oil contained in the ‘Lysfoss’ had been swift, some had still managed to pollute the surrounding area.

Mr. McCourt said: "There is currently a container boom around the vessel but, notwithstanding, there is a slight spill reported.

"Some diesel has been reported as having come ashore. It is not thought to be extensive."


Councillors to make representations to
Deputy PM

 After councillors agreed to approach the Deputy Prime Minister with a view to examining the problem of navigation in the Minch, council convener David Green said: "I will make the strongest representation to John Prescott to make sure something is done about this."

After the decision was taken, Mr. Foxley called on the council to go further.

He said: "I'd like some input from the chief executive as to how we can include Europe in this matter, because I do feel we might just hit another stone wall with the Government."

Mr. Fulton said after the meeting that he was happy with the councillors' decision.

But he warned: "It's just the start of the battle."

The ‘Lysfoss’ has plied Minch waters for 12 years on a regular cargo run which takes in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Ireland.

She had eight crew on board when she went aground on Monday.

The MCA has confirmed that the ship passed an inspection in Denmark in November 2000.