Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Eder-Sands

A recent investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has shed light on a tragic incident involving the fishing vessel 'Eder Sands.' On October 7, 2022, while operating approximately 150 nautical miles west of Ireland, a deckhand fell overboard during net shooting operations. Despite a 21-hour search involving multiple vessels and fixed-wing aircraft, the crew member was never found. The MAIB report, published on February 8, 2024, identified critical safety concerns regarding the vessel's unwritten procedures for shooting nets. The crew was expected to work at height without adequate safety measures such as guard rails or harnesses. Observations revealed that crew members frequently wore lifejackets with loose waist straps, increasing the risk of slipping out of them upon entering the water. Although the lifejackets complied with regulations, they did not possess essential safety features like lights, personal locator beacons, crotch straps, or spray hoods—elements crucial for overboard emergencies. Consequently, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been urged to reassess its guidance in MGN 588 (F) to ensure fishing vessel owners are selecting appropriate personal flotation devices with adequate safety features for their operations. Additionally, the report recommends that the owner of Eder Sands take several corrective actions, including: revising the vessel's safety management system to incorporate specific operational procedures and risk assessments for net handling; ensuring each flotation device undergoes regular inspection and maintenance; reviewing the suitability of current lifejackets; and enforcing the proper usage of personal flotation devices as per manufacturer instructions. To read the full report, visit: https://www.gov.uk/maib-reports/fall-overboard-from-fishing-vessel-eder-sands-with-loss-of-1-life.

The fishing trawler 'Eder Sands' has been docked in the Highlands due to a series of serious violations, primarily involving failure to demonstrate proper payment to crew members. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) took action by seizing the vessel at Scrabster on July 2, 2020, following a thorough investigation aligned with the UK Government’s Covid-19 safety protocols. Surveyors identified that the work agreements aboard the trawler did not meet the standards set by the Work in Fishing Convention (WIFC). Notably, the vessel lacked a valid WIFC certificate, and crew qualifications were deemed insufficient. Furthermore, the owners of 'Eder Sands' failed to provide adequate proof of full payment to their crew, with wage documentation missing compliance with established regulations. Compounding these issues, the trawler was carrying 20 crew members without the necessary International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate. The release of the trawler is contingent upon its adherence to all relevant regulations and requirements.