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Case study: Maritime casualties investigated by Marine Accident Investigation Branch

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Around Scotland, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), of the Department for Transport, examines and investigates all types of marine accidents / incidents (referred to here as casualties) to, or on board, UK ships and on other ships within territorial waters. It does so with powers under The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2012. For the purposes of this case study, the term maritime casualties includes a range of accidents or incidents: capsizing / listing, flooding / foundering, damage / loss of equipment / fire / explosion, collision, grounding / stranding, loss of control, vessel losses and lives lost based on MAIB data for the period 2014 - 2018. The data collated by MAIB give a full picture of the number of reported casualties (including vessel losses and fatalities) within territorial waters but limited to UK vessels beyond that.

The MAIB may investigate any casualties reported to it, often making recommendations with a view to improving safety at sea. It publishes an Annual Report which includes recommendations and summary tables.

Tables 1 - 7 below summarise reported casualties in Scottish waters between 2014 and 2018 based on MAIB data. Presentation of the data as part of Scotland’s Marine Assessment 2020 is for context and completeness rather than as an assessment.

When an incident occurs there is an established response protocol set out in the National Contingency Plan (A strategic overview for responses to marine pollution from shipping and offshore installations). An Environment Group, chaired by Marine Scotland, is normally established to advise the Secretary of State’s Representative (SoSREP) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on both environmental and public health matters. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency, NatureScot and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee may each have a role in the Environment Group and other organisations may be included in the Environment Group as appropriate, for example, Food Standards Scotland.

The number of vessels involved in incidents resulting in various damage is shown in Table 1. Note that the Table shows the MAIB data records for the number of vessels rather than the number of incidents. This means that for the Transocean Winner incident (Figures 1 and 2) there are two records as there were two vessels involved. This will also occur for collisions where there are usually two (or rarely more) vessels involved. The MAIB incident data also record the location of the tow rope parting (location indicated with black circle in Figure 1), some distance offshore, rather than where the rig came ashore. Marine Scotland Science analysed farmed mussels and salmon (liver and muscle) from Loch Roag following the Transocean Winner rig grounding incident. The Taint, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAHS) and N-Alkane Analysis of Farmed Mussels and Salmon Samples Following the Transocean Winner Rig Incident report is available. The key sensitivity identified in Loch Roag at the time of the incident was aquaculture sites.

 

Table 1: Number of vesels involved in incidents resulting in various damage to vessels, 2014-2018 (Scottish waters). Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch. More detail on the definitions of incidents used by the MAIB can be found in the 2018 Annual Report (July 2019). For the purposes of this case study, the MAIB categories have been summarised into six.
Type of incident
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Capsizing / Listing
2
2
2
0
3
9
Flooding / Foundering
6
2
4
4
0
16
Damage / Loss of equipment / Fire / Explosion
0
2
1
0
1
4
Collision
16
18
10
16
12
72
Grounding / Stranding
26
28
15
19
26
114
Loss of control
0
2
0
0
1
3
Total
50
54
32
39
43
218

 

Incidents involving various damage to vessels, 2014-2018.

Figure 1: Incidents involving various damage to vessels, 2014-2018. Black circle record the location of the tow rope parting some distance offshore, rather than where the rig came ashore. Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

 

Transocean Winner aground in Dalmore Bay, Western Isles. August 2016. © Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Figure 2: Transocean Winner aground in Dalmore Bay, Western Isles. August 2016. © Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

 

An incident may also then result in a vessel being lost. Table 2, a subset of Table 1, details the number of vessels.

 

Table 2: Vessels lost as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018. Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Note: Actual = vessel sank. Constructive = vessel beyond repair, often broken up. 
 
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Actual
6
6
3
4
2
21
Constructive
2
3
2
1
2
10
Total
8
9
5
5
4
31

 

Vessels lost as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018

Figure 3: Vessels lost as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018. Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

 

Table 3: Fatalities in shipping related incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018. Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Table 3 contains some overlaps with Table 1 where an incident also resulted in a fatality. 
 
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Lives lost
4
17
7
8
6
42

 

Fatalities as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018

Figure 4: Fatalities as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018. Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

 

Data by Scottish Marine Region and Offshore Marine Region

The MAIB data can also be presented for the assessment regions.

 

Table 4: Incidents involving various damage to vessels, 2014-2018 (by Scottish Marine Region and Offshore Marine Region). The MV Priscilla ran aground in the Pentland Firth, Figure 5.
Type of incident
Year
Scottish Marine Region
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Solway
2
0
0
3
1
6
Flooding / Foundering
0
0
0
1
0
1
Grounding / Stranding
2
0
0
2
1
5
Clyde
3
5
2
3
8
21
Capsizing / Listing
0
0
0
0
1
1
Collision
0
2
0
2
2
6
Flooding / Foundering
1
0
0
0
0
1
Grounding / Stranding
2
3
2
1
5
13
Argyll
4
9
2
6
1
22
Damage / Loss of equipment / Fire / Explosion
0
1
0
0
0
1
Flooding / Foundering
1
0
0
0
0
1
Grounding / Stranding
3
8
2
6
 2
21
West Highlands
10
8
4
6
8
36
Capsizing / Listing
1
0
0
0
0
1
Collision
2
2
0
2
4
10
Flooding / Foundering
1
0
1
1
0
3
Grounding / Stranding
6
5
3
3
 3
20
Loss of control
0
1
0
0
0
1
Outer Hebrides
3
5
5
1
2
16
Collision
2
2
0
0
0
4
Flooding / Foundering
0
1
1
0
0
2
Grounding / Stranding
1
2
4
1
2
10
North Coast
1
0
0
1
1
3
Flooding / Foundering
1
0
0
0
0
1
Grounding / Stranding
0
0
0
1
1
2
Orkney Islands
2
4
3
3
3
15
Capsizing / Listing
0
1
1
0
0
2
Collision
0
0
0
2
0
2
Grounding / Stranding
2
3
2
1
3
11
Shetland Isles
9
3
2
2
1
17
Collision
4
2
0
0
0
6
Flooding / Foundering
2
0
2
0
0
4
Grounding / Stranding
3
1
0
2
1
7
Moray Firth
3
9
5
4
12
33
Capsizing / Listing
0
0
1
0
2
3
Collision
0
4
4
2
4
14
Damage / Loss of equipment / Fire / Explosion
0
0
0
0
1
1
Grounding / Stranding
3
4
0
2
5
14
Loss of control
0
1
0
0
0
1
North East
10
5
6
6
4
31
Collision
6
4
4
6
2
22
Damage / Loss of equipment / Fire / Explosion
0
0
1
0
0
1
Grounding / Stranding
4
1
1
0
 2 8
Loss of control
0
0
0
0
1
1
Forth and Tay
3
4
3
1
1
12
Capsizing / Listing
1
1
0
0
0
2
Collision
2
2
2
0
0
6
Flooding / Foundering
0
0
0
1
0
1
Grounding / Stranding
0
1
1
0
1
3
Offshore Marine Region
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bailey
0
1
0
0
0
1
Flooding / Foundering
0
1
0
0
0
1
East Shetland Shelf
0
0
0
3
0
3
Collision
0
0
0
2
0
2
Flooding / Foundering
0
0
0
1
0
1
Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore
0
1
0
0
0
1
Damage / Loss of equipment / Fire / Explosion
0
1
0
0
0
1
Total
50
54
32
39
43
218

 

The MV Priscilla ran aground in the Pentland Firth in 2018. © Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Figure 5: The MV Priscilla ran aground in the Pentland Firth in 2018. © Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

 

Table 5: Vessels lost as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018 (by Scottish Marine Region and Offshore Marine Region). Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch. Note: Actual = vessel sank. Constructive = vessel beyond repair, often broken up.
 
Year
Scottish Marine Region
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Solway
0
0
0
1
0
1
Actual
0
0
0
1
0
1
Clyde
1
0
0
0
1
2
Actual
0
0
0
0
1
1
Constructive
1
0
0
0
0
1
Argyll
1
0
0
0
0
1
Actual
1
0
0
0
0
1
West Highlands
2
3
1
2
0
8
Actual
2
1
1
1
0
5
Constructive
0
2
0
1
0
3
Outer Hebrides
0
1
1
0
0
2
Actual
0
1
0
0
0
1
Constructive
0
0
1
0
0
1
North Coast
1
0
0
0
0
1
Constructive
1
0
0
0
0
1
Orkney Islands
0
1
0
0
0
1
Actual
0
1
0
0
0
1
Shetland Isles
2
0
2
0
0
4
Actual
2
0
2
0
0
4
Moray Firth
0
1
0
0
3
4
Actual
0
1
0
0
1
2
Constructive
0
0
0
0
2
2
North East
0
1
1
0
0
2
Constructive
0
1
1
0
0
2
Forth and Tay
1
0
0
1
0
2
Actual
1
0
0
1
0
2
Offshore Marine Region
Bailey
0
1
0
0
0
1
Actual
0
1
0
0
0
1
East Shetland Shelf
0
0
0
1
0
1
Actual
0
0
0
1
0
1
Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore
0
1
0
0
0
1
Actual
0
1
0
0
0
1
Total
8
9
5
5
4
31

 

Table 6: Vessels lost as a result of incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018 (by vessel type). Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
 
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Actual
6
6
3
4
2
21
Cargo ship - Solid Cargo - Bulk Carrier
0
1
0
0
0
1
Fishing vessel - Other
1
1
0
0
0
2
Fishing vessel - Potter
4
1
3
2
1
11
Fishing vessel - Trawler
1
1
0
1
0
3
Fishing vessel - Trawler - Other trawler
0
1
0
0
0
1
Fishing vessel - Trawler - Stern
0
0
0
0
1
1
Recreational craft - Motorboat
0
1
0
1
0
2
Constructive
2
3
2
1
2
10
Cargo ship - Liquid Cargo - Oil tanker - Crude oil
0
1
0
0
0
1
Cargo ship - Solid Cargo - General Cargo
0
1
0
0
0
1
Fishing vessel - Dredger
0
1
0
0
0
1
Fishing vessel - Potter
1
0
1
1
1
4
Fishing vessel - Trawler - Stern
1
0
1
0
0
2
Recreational craft - Sailboat (aux. motor)
0
0
0
0
1
1
Total
8
9
5
5
4
31

 

Table 7: Fatalities in shipping related incidents in Scottish waters 2014-2018 (by Scottish Marine Region and Offshore Marine Region). Source: Marine Accident Investigation Branch.
 
Year
Scottish Marine Region
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Total
Solway
0
0
0
2
0
2
Clyde
0
0
0
0
2
2
Argyll
1
1
0
0
0
2
West Highlands
1
0
0
1
2
4
Outer Hebrides
0
2
3
1
0
6
North Coast
0
0
0
0
0
0
Orkney Islands
1
8
0
1
0
10
Shetland Isles
1
0
1
0
0
2
Moray Firth
0
0
2
3
0
5
North East
0
1
0
0
1
2
Forth and Tay
0
4
0
0
0
4
Offshore Marine Region
Bailey
0
0
0
0
0
0
North Scotland Shelf
0
0
1
0
1
2
North and West Shetland Shelf
0
1
0
0
0
1
East Shetland Shelf
0
0
0
0
0
0
Fladen and Moray Firth Offshore
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
4
17
7
8
6
42
This Assessment page is part of: 

The marine environment acts as a sink for many hazardous substances, including persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals. Many of these compounds are toxic, persistent, bioaccumulative and can be prone to long range transport. Their sources and pathways into the marine environment are diverse with most hazardous substances being produced by anthropogenic activities. Some are, or have been, produced intentionally (such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) whilst others are by-products of industrial processes (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)). Direct or indirect release to rivers, from industrial discharges and from sewage works discharges, are a major source of a range of hazardous substances in the marine environment. Historically the biggest sources of hazardous substances to the Scottish environment were from heavy industry (steelworks, mining and gasworks), however increased regulation and closure of some of these industries has reduced contaminant inputs from these sources. Run-off from urban areas and atmospheric deposition continue to be diffuse sources of hazardous substances to the marine environment. Due to the persistent nature of many hazardous substances, high concentrations can still be found in the sediments of industrialised and urbanised estuaries as a result of historical inputs. 

Monitoring of hazardous substances and their biological effects in the Scottish marine environment is required to assess what measures and action are required in order to enable the Scottish vision of clean and safe seas to be delivered. In addition, such monitoring is essential in order to ensure that Scotland fulfils its part in international obligations to OSPAR and under EU legislation. Hazardous substances highlighted to be of particular concern and routinely monitored include heavy metals (cadmium, mercury and lead), PCBs, PAHs and PBDEs.

The assessment also considers oil and chemical discharges and releases (which may come about as a result of an accident) as well as the concentration of radionuclides in the sea. The Case study: Maritime casualties investigated by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch explores the occurrence of marine accidents or incidents in Scottish waters.

Sub-themes

UN SDG icon: 
Image: 
Transocean Winner aground in Dalmore Bay, Western Isles. August 2016. © Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
Literature: 
MAIB annual reports 2011 - 2019
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Links and resources

To view full details of the literature source, click the title. Where literature has a DOI, you can click on the DOI link to be taken directly to the source material.