A report published by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), has criticised the watchkeeping aboard DFDS Seaways’ Scottish Viking vessel, after a collision with a fishing vessel resulted in the death of a 16-year-old boy.

The accident occurred on the 5th August 2010 at approximately 19:46 off the coast of St. Abbs. According to the MAIB report, the Zeebrugge-bound DFDS Seaways vessel collided with the Homeland fishing vessel, as a result of watchkeeping failures on both ships.

The MAIB report highlighted that neither watchkeeper determined at an early stage whether there was a risk of collision between the two vessels. The report also criticised DFDS Seaways for failing to maintain an effective lookout from the wheelhouse. Sadly, Daniel McNeil died after being lost at sea following the collision.

Gert Jakobsen, the communications manager for DFDS Seaways, said: “We have very strict procedures on all our ships, but this was not our ship so I am not in position to criticise or comment on the procedure on board that ship, as that ship was chartered to run. We did not operate it.”

The Scottish Viking had been chartered by DFDS Seaways from Visentini, an Italian firm. DFDS Seaways no longer provides passenger services on the Rosyth to Zeebrugge route.

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