Report on marine accident, capsizing of workboat Smolten, Lurøy on 29 November 2019
Marine report 2021/04
On Friday 29 November 2019 at approximately 15.30, a 28-foot workboat with two fish farm workers on board capsized. They were on their way home from a fish farm at Måvær in Lurøy municipality. Two hours later, the capsized boat and one of the missing persons were found. The second person has not been found, despite extensive search efforts. The investigation shows that there is a need to improve personnel transport safety in the aquaculture industry. The aquaculture industry has grown and some fish farms will be located further out to sea. This will create a greater need to transport personnel in more demanding waters. The recommended improvements will give fish farm workers and others in the aquaculture industry safer working conditions in addition to more effective and efficient suprevision of the industry.
The investigation has demonstrated a need for, amongst others, the weather limitations of the workboats to be made better known in day-to-day operations.
It is also necessary to raise awareness among fish farm workers and ships' crews about the risks they are exposed to and what measures are necessary to reduce these risks.
Requirements regarding boat operator's qualifications and equipment on board workboats used to transport people should be clarified.
The authorities’ guidance and supervision in relation to the aquaculture industry should be improved.
The NSIA issues three safety recommendations to the Norwegian Maritime Authority and one to both the Norwegian Maritime Authority and the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority.
Published 13.04.2021
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation MARINE No 2021/10T
The investigation into the accident on 29 November 2019 in which the workboat Smolten capsized has shown that the boat's weather limitations were not known. The operational limitations of workboats should be clearly reflected in the enterprises’ safety management systems and be included in the training and planning of the work of the persons who are using these boats. This is an issue that could affect a large proportion of the industry.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority take steps to raise awareness of the operational limitations of workboats, including weather limitations, among enterprises and users in the aquaculture industry for the purpose of ensuring that enterprises do more to address these matters in their training and planning of work operations.
Safety recommendation MARINE No 2021/11T
The investigation into the accident on 29 November 2019 in which the workboat Smolten capsized has shown that there is a need to raise awareness among fish farm workers and ships' crews about the risks they are exposed to and what measures are necessary to reduce these risks. The assessments should take into account the boat's weather limitations and other operational limitations, alternative routes that could shelter them from weather and what can be done if a boat encounters bad weather. Weight must also be given to risks that are rare, but could potentially have very serious consequences. Measures must clearly set out how to attend to safe performance of work under time pressure. This is an issue that could affect a large proportion of the industry.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority take steps to contribute to risk assessments being better incorporated into the enterprises' training and planning of how the work is carried out in practice.
Safety recommendation MARINE No 2021/12T
The investigation into the accident on 29 November 2019 in which the workboat Smolten capsized has shown that there is a need for workboats to be equipped with navigation, communication and rescue equipment and for the operators to have navigational skills. This is an issue that could affect a large proportion of the industry. Developments in the aquaculture industry show a trend towards more facilities further off the coast, which increases the need for boat transport, both of own employees and of veterinarians, service personnel etc., in demanding waters. The NSIA considers it necessary for fish farm workers and ship's crews to be given a better basis for navigation, self-rescue equipment and the possibility for effective distress signalling and emergency communication so that assistance can arrive rapidly.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority take steps to ensure that adequate requirements apply and that enterprises in the aquaculture industry are aware of the qualification requirements for operators of workboats that transport persons and the requirements regarding equipment on the boats.
Safety recommendation MARINE No 2021/13T
The investigation into the accident on 29 November 2019 in which the workboat Smolten capsized has shown that there are unclarified issues between the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and the Norwegian Maritime Authority. A memorandum of understanding between the agencies on supervisory responsibility has not been revised or terminated, and the aquaculture industry has thus not received necessary guidance in connection with supervisory activities or in the available information material. The aquaculture industry has developed a great deal in recent years. Developments include specialisation in types of vessel and functions, companies that specialise in certain tasks in the value chain, facilities being moved further out off the coast, and changes in the transport of fish, feed and persons. These developments are expected to continue, and the NSIA is of the opinion that this will also require the development of guidance and supervision.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority and the Norwegian Maritime Authority jointly review the regulatory framework and supervisory responsibility and agree on boundaries to improve the guidance provided to the aquaculture industry and ensure sufficient expertise among supervisory personnel and supervisory activities that meet the needs of the industry.
Facts
| Location | Between Måvær and Sleneset, Lurøy |
| Occurrence date | 29.11.2019 |
| Accident category | Capsize |
| Area | Norwegian Territorial Waters |
| Name of vessel | Smolten |
| Accident type | Capsize |
| Vessel type | Misc. Ship |
| Register | Not registered |