At 1400 on 5 July 2022, the UK registered roll-on roll-off passenger ferry Alfred grounded on the east coast of Swona Island, Pentland Firth, Scotland while on passage from Gills Bay, mainland Scotland, to St Margaret’s Hope, South Ronaldsay, Scotland. The impact caused injuries to 41 passengers and crew, and damage to Alfred’s port bulbous bow and almost all the vehicles being transported on board. The vessel subsequently refloated on the rising tide and continued to St Margaret’s Hope under its own power later that afternoon; there was no pollution.
Swona Island, Pentland Firth (UK) | 5 July 2022
1 | Accident snapshot
| Grounding time | ≈ 14 : 00 LT |
| Situation | Master had just switched to the arm-rest tiller for a “photo-op” run close to shore. |
| Breakdown | Voyage-data shows a helm input, then ≈ 70 s with no further orders or corrections while the heading kept drifting port toward Swona. |
| Consequence | Grounding at 13 kn; bow damage and 41 passenger/crew injuries. Investigation concluded the master likely nodded off; no lookout or BNWAS was active. |
2 | How Aware Mate would have intervened
| Clock | Actual events | What the watch would experience with Aware Mate |
|---|---|---|
| 13 : 58 | Continuous eye-closure / no head movement begins | Gentle audible prompt from the bridge — a nudge to self‑correct or call a lookout. |
| No acknowledgement, posture unchanged | Aware Mate interfaces with the vessel’s BNWAS per ship policy. A local bridge alert sounds on the bridge. | |
| Still no activity | If unacknowledged, the existing alerting escalates per company settings to call assistance. Relief officer or lookout arrives and takes the helm. | |
| 14 : 00 | Grounding in reality | Vessel remains at a safe stand‑off from Swona; no contact. |
3 | Safety margin gained
- Detection lead‑time: an initial prompt well before hull contact.
- Corrective room: a timely starboard correction applied earlier keeps clear of the charted danger with ample margin.
- Outcome avoided: structural damage, medical evacuations, and service disruption.
4 | Why the intervention works
- Progressive audio cues — gentle audible prompt first; if ignored, BNWAS takes over per the vessel’s existing alarm hierarchy.
- Decision‑support only — Aware Mate never interferes with controls; it simply restores vigilance.
Take-home message
The Alfred grounding hinged on a brief lapse in watch‑keeper alertness. Aware Mate would have detected that inattention, issued a gentle prompt, and—if unheeded—interfaced with the vessel’s BNWAS as configured. Those extra moments can be enough for the crew to regain control and keep an 84‑m ferry, 82 people, and a pristine coastline safe.
