The St Helena Government (SHG) would like to provide an update following the incident involving the local vessel the Newcastle, which sank in James Bay on 24 April 2026.
Following the incident, a Marine Safety Investigation was undertaken to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision and subsequent sinking of Newcastle, and to identify any lessons or actions that could help reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring in the future.
The purpose of a Marine Safety Investigation is to identify safety issues and lessons that may help prevent future incidents and improve maritime safety. It is not undertaken for the purpose of determining criminal responsibility, apportioning blame or establishing liability.
This update relates solely to the Marine Safety Investigation. SHG is unable to comment on the status or outcome of any separate investigation undertaken by the Royal St Helena Police Service.
The Marine Safety Investigation was concluded at the end of May 2026. SHG acknowledges the delay in providing this further public update following the conclusion of the investigation and thanks the public for their patience.
The investigation considered the circumstances leading up to the incident, the condition and operation of the vessels, the response following the sinking, and other relevant information available.
A number of safety recommendations were identified as a result of the investigation and are being considered through the appropriate operational, policy and governance processes. The recommendations are intended to strengthen safety arrangements and support continued improvements in the operation and oversight of domestic vessels.
The findings and lessons identified through the investigation will also be considered as part of the Maritime Authority’s wider work to improve maritime safety and the development of appropriate safety standards for domestic vessels operating around St Helena.
The full report can be found here https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/app/uploads/2026/10/Marine-Safety-Investigation-Report-MA06-2026.pdf.
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