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Fall overboard from sail training vessel Pelican of London with loss of 1 life

Marine Accident Investigation Branch

September 12
08:57 2024

Accident Investigation Report 10/2024

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations:

MAIB investigation report 10-2024: Pelican of London

Pelican of London

Summary

At 2308 on 2 October 2023, the volunteer relief cook on Pelican of London fell from the top of the vessels gangway into the flooded drydock while under the influence of alcohol. His absence was not noted until the next morning and a search was started. In the early afternoon of 3 October 2023, police divers recovered the relief cooks body to the dockside where he was declared deceased.

Safety issues

  • the gangway did not provide a safe means of access to Pelican of London

  • on board training and risk assessments did not mitigate the risk of a fall from the gangway

  • the relief cook was above the legal limit for duty on board Pelican of London and the drug and alcohol policy did not specify parameters for crew returning on board from recreational time ashore

Recommendations

The vessel owners, Seas Your Future, were recommended (2024/130, 2024/131 and 2024/132) to review and amend: its policy and training for the rigging and approval of the gangway when used; the risk assessment procedure; and the fleet policy and procedure for dealing with drugs and/or alcohol.

A safety flyer to the shipping industry was produced with this report, signposting guidance on how to safely rig a gangway.

MAIB report 4/2018: Constant Friend

MAIB report 5/2018: Illustris

Updates to this page

Published 12 September 2024

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