A sheriff has ruled the “catastrophic capsize” of a cargo vessel off the Pentland Firth had “inevitably fatal consequences” for the crew.
MV Cemfjord, a bulk cement carrier, was last recorded travelling west through the Pentland Firth, a stretch of sea between Orkney and the north Caithness coast, on the afternoon of January 2 2015.
It was last heard from at 3pm that day and its upturned hull was discovered by a Northlink ferry Hrossey the next day following “violent” weather conditions.
The 272ft Cyprus-registered vessel’s eight crew have never been found and the wreck, which is lying on the seabed 270ft below sea level has been declared a sea grave.
The crew were the master Pawel Chruscinski, 43, chief officer Jaroslaw Orlov, 45, chief engineer Roman Tamas, 56, and seamen Henryk Dubanowski, 55, Tomasz Kwiatkowski, 31, Artur Podrazka, 24, and Artur Wegorek, also 24, all from Poland.
‘Still considerable risks faced by those who labour on the sea’
The eighth member of the crew was Filipino seaman, Jerome Narvasa, 32.
Following a fatal accident inquiry, Sheriff Gary Aitken acknowledged the vessel’s journey “could reasonably have been delayed until tidal and weather conditions were more favourable”.
However, he concluded that sadly the reasons for continuing “were lost with the ship and her crew”.
In his findings, which are to be translated into the first language of the deceased’s families, Sheriff Aitken said: “It is clear from the evidence that the sea and weather conditions in the Pentland Firth around 1pm on January 2 2015 posed a severe hazard to any vessel seeking to transit the area, particularly from east to west, as the Cemfjord sought to do.
“The elements caused the sudden catastrophic capsize of the vessel, the suddenness of that event tragically resulting in inevitably fatal consequences for her officers and crew.
“It is not possible to state why the vessel was attempting to transit the Firth at that
time.
“It is equally clear from the evidence that the dangers of the Pentland Firth are well
recognised and well-known within the maritime community.
“Pawel Chruscinski was a very experienced master, used both to the Cemfjord and the Pentland Firth. He had shown a willingness to alter the voyage of the vessel to take account of tidal conditions before.
‘Their loss is no doubt still keenly felt’
“The other deck officer, Jaroslaw Orlow, was new to the Cemfjord, but was a very
experienced mariner.
“Sadly, the reason or reasons for continuing her voyage on January 2 2015 were lost with the ship and her crew.”
During the inquiry, one expert said that the vessel faced “extraordinarily violent breaking seas” as it made its journey from Denmark to Cheshire.
Barry Smith, representing the ship’s owners, Brise of Hamburg, told the inquiry: “The loss of the master and all seven of his crew was keenly felt through the Brise company.”
The firm flew the crew’s families to the scene of their loved ones’ sea graves to lay wreaths 18 months after the tragedy.
Sheriff Aitken also sent his condolences to the families of the deceased, adding: “Their loss is no doubt still keenly felt.
“The tragic deaths of the Cemfjord’s officers and crew are a reminder that even in the 21st century, with all of humanity’s technological achievements, there are still considerable risks faced by those who labour on the sea. “
