The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has donated the wreck of the whelk potting vessel Nicola Faith to Cranfield University for use when training students in accident investigation on its fundamentals of accident investigation course.
Nicola Faith was a fishing vessel that capsized off the coast of Colwyn Bay, Wales in 2021 leading to the tragic loss of the three crewmembers – Ross Ballantine, Alan Minard and Carl McGrath.
In order to thoroughly investigate the accident and learn safety lessons, the MAIB conducted an extensive search for the vessel and salvaged the wreckage when it was discovered. Having completed the investigation, the MAIB has now donated the wreck to create a beneficial educational opportunity.
The MAIB has long established links to Cranfield and has donated the vessel along with factual evidence gathered as part of the investigation to enable Cranfield to create a realistic scenario of a fishing vessel capsize. The scenario will enable trainee accident investigators to apply and test their knowledge by conducting a simulated accident investigation.
Nicola Faith will be renamed Pisces II and will replace the vessel Pisces, which has been used at Cranfield for many years.