A Western Isles skipper has been fined for causing serious damage to a fishing boat
when he fell asleep after drinking.
Shaun MacInnes, from Eriskay, was in charge of the FV Annette when she ran aground
on the Isle of Rum in March 2022.
The 29-year-old denied the allegation but was found guilty after trial at Fort William
Sheriff Court.
He returned to court for sentencing today and was fined £2,000 with a £75 victim
surcharge. He was also ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigated the incident and interviewed
MacInnes who denied drinking. He said he had fallen asleep because he was tired due
to his personal circumstances.
During the trial, the court heard evidence that MacInnes had been directed by the
boat owner to take the wooden hulled vessel from Eriskay to Mallaig for repairs.
While in Mallaig, MacInnes telephoned the owner, stating that he intended to take
the deckhand to the Isle of Rum ‘sightseeing’ once repairs were made. The owner agreed
on the strict understanding that MacInnes did not consume any alcohol before or during
the trip.
During the trial, witnesses gave evidence about the condition MacInnes was in when
they encountered him.
This included a fisheries officer who spoke with MacInnes just after 4pm. He said
he could smell beer on his breath and saw that he was unsteady on his feet, slurring
his words and at one point, fell off the skipper’s chair he said was surrounded by
empty cans of beer.
The fisheries officer was so concerned about MacInnes condition and his stated intention
of setting sail for Rum that he called the police.
A police officer arrived and boarded the vessel, finding MacInnes asleep in the wheelhouse.
He managed to wake him with the assistance of the deckhand.
Again, MacInnes was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and unable to remain
focused the court was told. The officer established their intention to go to sea
and persuaded them to remain in Mallaig and sleep off the effects before they next
set sail the following day.
However, FV Annette ran aground on rocks shortly after 10pm that evening. Coastguards
responded to a Mayday call from the vessel.
The boat sustained significant damage and was recovered and escorted back to Mallaig
escorted by Mallaig lifeboat.
Following the conclusion of today’s sentencing hearing, Debbie Carroll, who leads
on health and safety investigations for the Crown Office, said: “It is clear from
the evidence led at trial that Shaun MacInnes ignored instructions from the owner
of the vessel and the police in taking an unnecessary trip while under the effects
of alcohol and fell asleep.
“As the master of the vessel, he failed to keep a proper lookout and caused it to
run aground putting his and his deckhand’s lives at risk, causing serious damage
to the boat and the needless deployment of emergency service resources.
“COPFS will continue to work closely with the MCA to ensure anyone who breaks the
law faces prosecutorial action.”
Jay Staff, MCA deputy head of Regulatory, Compliance and Investigations, said: “The
MCA will always support partners or take action itself against seafarers or operators
behaving dangerously anywhere in the UK.
“We will always work to hold responsible those who, like Shaun MacInnes, put crew,
other seafarers and the public at risk by failing to follow the rules that keep people
safe on the water.”
Fishing boat hit rocks when skipper fell asleep after drinking
10 June 2025
Damage was caused to the vessel’s bow Photo:
Crown Office
