COASTGUARD ASSIST SINKING FISHING VESSEL

Aberdeen Coastguard assisted the Fraserburgh crewed fishing vessel 'Vertrauen' on 19 July 2001 after a Pan broadcast was picked up from by two oil stand by vessels and relayed to the Coastguard.

The 'Vertrauen' reported that the vessel was taking water in its engine room and in danger of sinking with its four crew on board. Coastguard immediately requested the RAF Rescue Helicopter 137 from Lossiemouth to scramble and to take with it a pump in the hope that the excess water could be pumped off fast enough for the vessel to stay afloat.

The helicopter was due on scene at just before 5.30 pm but before it was able to get there the skipper took the decision that the vessel was too unsafe to stay on board. All four crew then evacuated to the fast rescue craft of one of the stand by vessels, the 'Scott Guardian'.

Matthew Mace, Watch Manager for Aberdeen Coastguard said, "Unfortunately despite the swift action of the Coastguard and RAF helicopter, ‘Vertrauen’ sank at around 5.15 pm this afternoon. All of the crew are safe and well and have been airlifted by helicopter to Lossiemouth.

There was a 3 1/2 to 4 metre sea swell on scene with northerly 25-knot winds that would have made conditions more difficult for the crew of the fishing vessel.

It is not clear at the moment as to why ‘Vertrauen’ began taking water."

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'Vertrauen' was the subject in the MAIB Safety Digest - Fishing 2000.  The report says:

The engine revs on the 24m long wooden fishing vessel Vertrauen began to fall. An investigation revealed flooding in the engine room to above the floor plates. Bilge pumps, and a portable pump kept on board, were started; and further pumps were requested from the coastguard. Another fishing vessel stood by. A rescue helicopter delivered two salvage pumps and these, together with the pumps already on board, enabled the water ingress to be controlled. She was towed to port by the other fishing vessel.

The source of the flooding was the disconnection of the hose supplying cooling water to the stern gland. A bilge alarm was fitted but failed to operate.