In a move designed to bolster maritime safety and honor a somber legacy, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has officially donated the wreck of the fishing vessel Nicola Faith to
Cranfield University.
The vessel will serve as a vital educational tool for the university’s Fundamentals of Accident Investigation course, helping to train the next generation of global safety investigators.
From tragedy to technical insight
The Nicola Faith tragically capsized off the coast of Colwyn Bay, Wales, in 2021. The accident resulted in the loss of three crew members: Ross Ballantine, Alan Minard, and Carl McGrath.
To determine the cause of the capsize and prevent future occurrences, the MAIB conducted an exhaustive search and salvage operation. With the formal investigation now concluded, the MAIB has repurposed the wreckage to provide a high-fidelity, hands-on learning environment for students.
A new chapter as "Pisces II"
As it transitions from a recovery site to a classroom, the vessel will be renamed Pisces II. It replaces the original Pisces, a training vessel that has been a staple of Cranfield’s simulation program for decades.
By utilizing the Nicola Faith alongside declassified factual evidence from the original probe, Cranfield University will be able to:
Replicate Realistic Scenarios: Students can analyze a genuine fishing vessel capsize in a controlled environment.
Test Investigative Rigor: Trainees will apply forensic techniques to identify structural failures and stability issues.
Bridge Theory and Practice: The donation allows for a seamless transition from classroom lectures to "on-site" field investigation.
Strengthening industry links
This donation reinforces the long-standing partnership between the MAIB and Cranfield University. By providing students with access to a vessel involved in a complex, modern investigation, the university remains at the forefront of global accident forensics and safety management. Photo by Antimuonium, Wikimedia commons.
