Fatigue the biggest factor in 'Tit Bonhomme' sinking

A report into the sinking of the 'Tit Bonhomme' near Glandore harbour has found that fatigue was the biggest factor in the tragedy. The ill-fated trawler, which got into difficulty on the 15th of January 2012, sparked one of the biggest search operations ever mounted in Ireland. Five of the six crew members lost their lives after the fishing vessel became stranded on Adam's Island on it's return to Union Hall. The Marine Casualty Investigation Board report released today, found that the crew only had between four and five hours sleep in the 40 hour trip - which led to inadequate watch-keeping arrangements. It also found that the alarm was raised by a personal mobile phone instead of dedicated hand-held VHF radios and the vessel did not have sufficient lifesaving appliances for all of those on-board. The report also revealed that at least two of the crew had not undertaken the required mandatory basic safety training, and it was carrying more crew than it was certified to carry The Department of Tourism has accepted all five reccomendations made in the report.

More from Cork