DEFIANT

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Course/Position

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Trawlers in near-collision

The trawler 'Antonio Maria' (IMO: 8792348) was in a near collision with the 'Defiant', apparently trying to foul her propeller in the morning of Oct 16, 2023, around 18 miles east of Unst. Having established via VHF radio that the position of the 'Antonio Maria'‘s lines was clear of where he intended to work, 'Defiant' skipper Magnus Polson began towing. 15 minutes later the 'Antonio Maria' altered onto a collision course and within five minutes had come dangerously close to the port side of the 'Defiant'. Two crewmen appeared on the French vessel’s stern, and one of them threw a rope into the sea. Attempts by Mr Polson to contact the vessel were unsuccessful and due to close proximity and the endangered safety of our boat he had no choice but to begin hauling back the gear to make room. Following the dangerous encounter, Shetland Fishermen’s Association, Scottish White Fish Producers Organisation, and Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael called for an investigation and tougher action against offending foreign vessels. Report with video: https://www.shetlandtimes.co.uk/2023/10/16/foreign-vessel-caught-on-video-in-near-miss-with-shetland-crew