FISHING VESSEL KARIANDA: FLOODING AND FOUNDERING

30 Aug 2002 09:45 AM

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch's (MAIB) investigation into the loss of the FV Karianda was suspended in December 2000 pending an investigation into the circumstances of the sinking by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Police.

The powers of MAIB inspectors and the framework for reporting and investigating accidents are set out in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999 put the framework into effect. These regulations are the foundation of the MAIB's work.

The purpose of the MAIB, is to contribute to safety at sea by carrying out investigations to determine the causes of accidents; making appropriate recommendations which, if implemented, will result in improved safety; and increasing awareness of how accidents happen to encourage better and safer ship operation.

In this case the MAIB launched an investigation soon after the Karianda founderered on August 14, 2000. No evidence was found from which safety recommendations could be made.

Therefore, after carefully considering whether there was any merit in continuing with the MAIB's investigation in this case, the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Stephen Meyer, decided that, taking acount of the other investigations held and the elapse of time, it was unlikely to produce any useful safety recommendations and, in the circumstances, the investigation should be closed.

MAIB investigations can be discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Chief Inspector under Regulation 8(6) of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999. The reasons for doing so have to be made publicly available.

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