Report released into likely death of fisherman in North Sea following unmanned vessel grounding
Investigation highlights challenges of lone fishing operations
Last updated 21st Aug 2026
A report into the loss of a fisherman in the North Sea has been released, following an incident involving an unmanned boat l that ran aground on Inverbervie beach, Aberdeenshire.
The vessel, named Sea Eagle, was last under the control of 28-year-old Ben Dowie from Carnoustie, who was operating alone at the time.
He had left Arbroath on the morning of 20th December last year, bound for fishing grounds to the south-east of Montrose.
The Incident
On the day of the incident, the alarm was raised when the Sea Eagle was found aground with no one on board.
Authorities halted the search operations later that day without having located Mr Dowie.
According to investigators, he entered the water at some point after 9:00 am.
The vessel subsequently continued its intended course on autopilot and without a skipper, leading to its grounding on Inverbervie beach.
Investigators were unable to ascertain the circumstances that led to Mr Dowie's fall into the sea or determine whether he was wearing a personal flotation device at the time.
Investigators' Findings
Evidence suggested that Dowie was working with two strings of creels at the time of his disappearance.
This, they stated, increased the chances of interaction with the gear causing him to be knocked overboard.
The report underscored the inherent risks of lone fishing operations and the difficulties of self-recovery in the event of falling in.
Despite the recurring nature of findings similar to prior investigations by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), no new recommendations were made by the team.