A Scots fishing trawler flooded and sank trying to recover a lost net in rough seas, a report has revealed.

Five men were rescued from the Kairos when it went down 80 miles west of the Scilly Isles in May 2015.

The Banff-registered prawn trawler was dragging a grapple along the seabed in an attempt to retrieve its lost gear when the hook snagged, anchoring the boat and exposing it to 30ft-high waves.

Within an hour, the Kairos flooded with three feet of water and the crew were forced to abandon ship.

The boat capsized but the crew were able to scramble from the sea into a liferaft and were rescued by an Irish fishing vessel shortly afterwards.

The skipper of the Kairos fell into the sea while climbing aboard the Cu Na Mara but was rescued by a member of the crew who leapt into the ocean with a rope and helped hoist him aboard.

A report published following an inquiry by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch praised the actions of the Cu Na Mara’s crew.

Investigators concluded: “Fishing vessels engaged in the recovery of nets caught on fasteners significantly increase their exposure to the risks of excessive rolling, dangerous lists and capsize, particularly when operating in heavy swells or rough seas.

“The effects of powerful winches, snagged trawl wires and heavy sea conditions should never be underestimated. No vessel is unsinkable.

“If in doubt, it is safer to release snagged gear and recover it later, when conditions are more favourable.”