The fishing vessel Genesis has been torn to pieces by heavy seas more than a week after striking rocks off the west coast of Orkney, with dramatic video evidence revealing catastrophic structural damage to the hull and stern.
The Spanish-registered longliner ran aground near the Old Man of Hoy on 1 October after what investigators believe was a communication failure. The vessel, owned by the Ribeira-based company Basoñas Mar, was carrying approximately 28 tonnes of fish and heading toward shore to unload its catch when the incident occurred.
All 17 crew members were rescued safely after the master issued a mayday distress call. A Coastguard helicopter winched the fishermen to safety two at a time from the treacherous rocks, with the operation taking place in close proximity to the distinctive sea stack. The rescue operation involved multiple agencies working in coordination: the RNLI lifeboat from Stromness, Coastguard helicopters based at Sumburgh and Stornoway, the Northlink passenger ferry Hamnavoe and its fast-rescue boat, Kirkwall and St Margaret's Hope Coastguard Rescue Teams, a Royal Air Force maritime patrol aircraft, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Mark Wrigley, a passenger aboard the Hamnavoe, witnessed the rescue unfold from the ferry. An announcement informed passengers that the vessel would assist in the operation. Wrigley described seeing the stricken boat on the rocks with rescue vessels in the water nearby, and observed the helicopter crew working at close quarters with the Old Man of Hoy formation.
"I was absolutely in awe of the people who were doing the rescue,"he told a local broadcaster at the time.
What happened to the crew?
The 17 crew members came from two nations. Four Spanish nationals, including one who made it home in time to attend his son's wedding, have returned to Spain. The remaining 13 Indonesian crew members have also departed Orkney and returned to their home country.
Investigation underway
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch registered the grounding as a preliminary assessment on 2 October, beginning a formal inquiry into the circumstances of the accident. The investigation will examine how the vessel came to strike the rocks and what factors contributed to the grounding.
The Genesis has a previous incident on record. In June 2021, the vessel was reported for crossing directly in front of the Shetland trawler Mizpah, coming within three metres of the other vessel, raising concerns about its navigation practices at that time.
Key Facts
- All 17 crew members were rescued safely by helicopter and other rescue services on 1 October
- The vessel was carrying 28 tonnes of fish when it struck rocks near the Old Man of Hoy
- The ship has since been destroyed by wave action and has not been recovered
- Four Spanish crew members and 13 Indonesian crew members have returned to their respective countries
- The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is conducting a formal preliminary assessment into the grounding
