Ferry grounded after captain likely fell asleep - report

The MV Alfred grounded on the island of Swona in 2022

A ferry was grounded on an island in the Pentland Firth after the ship's captain "almost certainly fell asleep", a report has found.

A total of 41 people were injured when the MV Alfred grounded on Swona on 5 July 2022 on a crossing from Gills Bay to St Margaret's Hope in Orkney.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) also found that the ship "routinely" passed too close to land, and there was a "lack of assurance" that the ship's crew were following proper procedures.

MAIB said they hoped "lessons would be learned" by both operator Pentland Ferries and the wider maritime industry from the incident, and that they were "encouraged" by steps the company had taken since then.

The investigation found that the ship's master had "experienced a loss of awareness" while at the helm, which the report said was "almost certainly as a result of falling asleep for approximately 70 seconds".

As a result, the Alfred swung towards the coast, where it struck the rocks at a speed of 13 knots.

There were 97 people on board the boat when the accident happened, and of the 41 injuries suffered, 10 were considered to be serious - the worst being a compound arm fracture.

The ferry had also followed a different passage plan to either of the two plans that were supposed to be used, instead taking a route closer to Swona.

A further finding was that this passage plan was "inadequate" and that the primary means of navigation - an Electronic Chart Display Information System - was "not being used effectively" to warn of danger.

The Orkney harbour authority's vessel traffic service was not monitoring the ferry's movement and therefore did not raise the alarm when it entered the guard zone around Swona Island.

After the ship ran aground, Alfred’s emergency response did not follow safety procedures, which the MAIB report established was because the vessel’s procedures and weekly drills had not adequately prepared the crew for the emergency.

Passengers with babies also reported that the crew were unsure how lifejackets for infants should be put on.

The harbour authority has since taken action to improve its oversight of ferry operations.

Pentland Ferries 'satisfied'

Andrew Moll, the MAIB's chief inspector of marine accidents said: “Lots of safety action has been taken as a result of this accident and I am encouraged by the actions taken by Pentland Ferries to address the issues raised in this report.

"The master almost certainly fell asleep and allowed the ferry to swing towards land. Crew should always be sufficiently well rested when coming on duty."

He added that it is "critical" a safe passage plan is made and followed correctly.

Pentland Ferries managing director Helen Inkster said the company welcomed the findings.

She said: “While we will never be complacent, we are satisfied that all the actions that could be taken by Pentland Ferries to ensure passenger safety have already been taken.

"We will always ensure that our vessels have detailed procedural plans, the right people, and rigorous training regimes in place.”

The MV Alfred is currently being leased to Cal Mac, where it is operating on the Arran service.