Marine Accident Investigation Branch
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Accident Investigation Report 19/2024
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations:
Summary
On the morning of 29 July 2021, the skipper of the UK registered fishing vessel Pioneer fell overboard as the vessel was heading back to its beach standing in Hastings, England. The sole deckhand on board was unable to recover the skipper, who was later airlifted to hospital by a search and rescue helicopter but could not be revived.
Safety issues
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Pioneer had a low bulwark at its aft deck, which did not prevent the skippers fall into the water
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The skipper was not wearing a personal flotation device
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Critical safety equipment was either missing, incorrectly fitted or out of date
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Collectively, a number of deficiencies identified indicated that Pioneer was being operated with a low standard of safety management
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The instructions to Maritime and Coastguard Agency surveyors did not contain robust guidance to ensure that successive surveys were completed to a consistent standard
Recommendations
A recommendation (2024/169) has been made to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to revise its guidance to surveyors to provide clear instructions on how to complete surveys and inspections.
Related publications
A safety flyer to the fishing industry was produced with this report, signposting the importance of a well maintained vessel that is fit to go to sea.