Fishing Vessel Lexi Rose Tragedy: Key Safety Lessons for Inshore Operations
A fatal accident occurred on September 21, 2023, when the single-handed creel fishing vessel Lexi Rose grounded and capsized near Melrose Point in north-east Scotland. The skipper, who was operating alone, struck a rock promontory with his outboard engine while navigating between creels in small coastal coves. This caused immediate loss of propulsion when the engine's lower assembly unit detached. Within just four minutes, waves pushed the vessel onto rocks. Though the skipper made two radio distress calls on a local working channel, he was later found unconscious in shallow water. Despite helicopter recovery, he was declared deceased en route to hospital. The investigation revealed he had suffered a significant head wound, likely rendering him unconscious before or immediately after entering the water. Critically, although normally available onboard, the skipper wasn't wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) nor carrying a personal locator beacon.
The MAIB investigation highlights several important safety lessons which can be seen in this safety flyer:
