Home / Disasters and Accidents / Unprepared Crew: Fatal Man Overboard on Fishing Vessel
Unprepared Crew: Fatal Man Overboard on Fishing Vessel
30 Apr
Summary
- Crew lacked practice drills for man overboard emergencies.
- Recovery equipment ineffective for unconscious person in water.
- Crew risked entanglement due to proximity to deployed pots.
An investigation into a fatal man overboard incident on May 22, 2024, found that the crew of a fishing vessel was unprepared to handle such emergencies. The incident occurred approximately 12 nautical miles southeast of Spurn Head, resulting in the loss of one deckhand who could not be revived.
The Marine Accident Investigation Board (MAIB) report highlighted significant safety deficiencies onboard. Crucially, the crew had not conducted any practice drills for man overboard scenarios, leaving them ill-equipped to respond effectively. Furthermore, the vessel's equipment was not suitable for recovering an unconscious person from the water.
Investigators also identified risks associated with the fishing gear. Crew members working near the deployed pots faced the danger of entanglement and injury due to a lack of separation from the equipment. The MAIB has since issued safety recommendations aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
