Investigation launched after Njord trawler capsizes in North Sea leading to death of crew member

An investigation has been launched after a trawler capsized off Norway after leaving Peterhead, leading to the death of one crew member.

The UK-registered Njord trawler got into difficulty in the North Sea around 100 nautical miles west of Stavanger at about 1.39pm on Sunday, March 6.

Three people were rescued by helicopter and five others picked up by another vessel, with one person later being pronounced dead.

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch confirmed they were looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

MIAB posted on Twitter: “We’ve started an investigation into the capsize and foundering of UK registered stern trawler Njord (SH 90) in the North Sea, approximately 100 miles west of Stavanger in Norway, resulting in the death of one crew member on March 6 2022.”

We’ve started an investigation into the capsize and foundering of UK registered stern trawler Njord (SH 90) in the North Sea, approximately 100 miles west of Stavanger in Norway, resulting in the death of one crew member on 6 March 2022.
— MAIB (@maibgovuk) March 8, 2022

The Norwegian Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre received an emergency call from the Njord at around 1.39pm on Sunday, with the helicopter arriving around 20 minutes after the alarm was raised.

Ståle Jamtli from the NJRCCC said: ”There were around five people on the keel and a couple in the sea.

”It must have gone fast because they hadn’t had the time to put any survival suit or rescue equipment on, so they were just in their normal working clothes.”