HAJEN – Very serious marine casualty outside Hållö

Summary in English

On 27 July 2025, a very serious maritime accident occurred southwest of Hållö, Västra Götaland county, when the fishing vessel HAJEN foundered. On board was only the vessel's owner, an experienced professional fisherman. The accident took place during mackerel fishing. The skipper discovered that water was entering the engine room. Despite attempts with electric bilge pumps and a hand pump, the water level rose rapidly. The skipper was able to quickly obtain assistance from a pilot boat that was at the Brofjorden approach. During the attempt to tow HAJEN towards land, the towing line broke and a wave broke over the stern, causing the vessel to sink. The skipper was rescued and brought aboard the pilot boat.

The exact cause of the water ingress could not be determined, but it is likely to have been due to a leak connected to the engine’s seawater intake.

An observation that was made was that the life raft did not rise to the surface and inflate automatically, because the hydrostatic release unit had been incorrectly installed.

The investigation highlights the importance of early warning systems for water ingress, easily accessible safety equipment, and regular and independent inspections, even for smaller vessels. Personal protective equipment such as lifejackets should always be worn. The investigation emphasises that simpler safety inspections should be introduced, where safety equipment is checked. The incident demonstrates that the rescue operation worked well, but that small improvements in routines and equipment could further enhance maritime safety.

Causes of the accident

The direct cause of the accident was that water entered the vessel’s engine room, and that, at a later stage, a wave washed over the stern of the vessel, resulting in the vessel becoming flooded. The investigation has not been able to determine the underlying cause of the water ingress.

Safety recommendations

The recommendations previously submitted to the Swedish Transport Agency earlier in 2026 remain valid, and there is no reason to issue any further recommendations.