Investigations into Maritime Accident off Scotland Coast Begin
Authorities have begun investigations into the deaths of three fishermen in an accident off the west coast of Scotland.
On Monday, the fishing vessel, Aquila, with four members on board, capsized in the waters off the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. A witness on shore who saw the vessel capsize reported the accident. 
Helicopters, lifeboats, and other vessels took part in rescue operations. Within an hour, one of the crewmembers was rescued by the crew of another vessel, which responded to a Mayday alert sent out by the Coast Guard. The surviving crewmember was not wearing a life jacket. The bodies of the other three crewmembers, including skipper Tony Hayton, were recovered later.
The marine Accidents Investigation Branch has begun a probe into why the scallop dredger capsized in what seemed like perfectly normal conditions. The Royal Navy has confirmed the area is a submarine exercise area, but no operations were being conducted at the time of the accident. With weather and collisions being ruled out as a cause of the accident, the investigation will look at other factors that may have been responsible for the tragedy.
According to sources, skipper Hayton and his crew were highly experienced fishermen and very knowledgeable about fishing in that area. This much, however, is clear - whatever went wrong went wrong too quickly for the crew to launch any emergency measures that could have prevented the boat from capsizing. Divers have already begun inspecting the fishing boat. Investigators are also waiting to talk to the survivor of the accident, Timothy Rowley.
Commercial Fishing is Dangerous Maritime Work
Work in the commercial fishing industry is dangerous, whether off the coast of Scotland or on a scalloper in Massachusetts. Fishermen work under dangerous and stressful conditions that include freezing weather, rough seas, and a work environment teeming with wetness, slippery surfaces, and dangerous lines and equipment. The industry is lucrative, but remains difficult to regulate because of its sheer size. There are thousands of fishing companies of all sizes, involved in the business, and enforcing safety standards on all vessels can strain already limited resources.
Fishermen may be covered under the definition of a Jones Act seaman, and any injuries they sustain can be eligible for benefits under the Act.
The maritime lawyers at Arnold & Itkin LLP represent injured crewmembers of commercial fishing boats, as well as crewmembers of cruise ships, cargo ships, barges, tugboats, oil rigs and other Jones Act vessels.
