Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the fatal man overboard from the fishing vessel Kingfisher (DH 110), approximately 30 nautical miles east-north-east of Wick, Scotland on 12 July 2024.
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:
There has been a long and largely successful campaign to encourage the wearing of personal flotation devices at sea. It is therefore extremely regrettable that a deckhand’s PFD played a part in this tragic accident.
Industry guidance encourages fishing vessel owners/operators to identify the most suitable means of mitigating the risks from fishing operations. It is important to recognise that PFDs promote survival when in the water, but they do not prevent crew from falling or being pulled overboard by the fishing gear. Depending on the activity being undertaken, personal protective equipment such as safety harnesses and tethers may be needed to prevent someone going overboard.
A safety flyer to the fishing industry has also been produced with this report.
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