Man overboard from single-handed creel boat May C with loss of 1 life

Location: Loch Carnan, Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

• From: Marine Accident Investigation Branch
• Published: 3 September 2020

• Vessel type: Fishing vessel
• Report type: Investigation report
• Date of occurrence: 24 July 2019

Accident Investigation Report 16/2020

Investigation report into marine accident including what happened, safety lessons learned and action taken:

Summary

At about 1230 on 24 July 2019, the owner/skipper of the single-handed creel fishing boat May C was found face down and unconscious in the sea by the crew of the fishing vessel, Sparkling Star. Despite being recovered by Sparkling Star바카라 사이트檚 crew, May C바카라 사이트檚 skipper had drowned and could not be resuscitated. Although the exact circumstances of the accident are unknown, it is most likely that May C바카라 사이트檚 skipper fell overboard when trying to clear the boat바카라 사이트檚 propeller of weed or other fouling.

Photo: Reconstruction of outboard propeller being cleared

Safety Issues

• May C바카라 사이트檚 skipper was not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD), nor was he carrying a personal locator beacon (PLB). This meant that his chances of survival were very low when alone and falling into cold water

• wearing a PFD and carrying a PLB aids survival and ensures you have a reliable method of raising the alarm to get help

Recommendations

Given the industry initiatives to increase the awareness of the importance of wearing a PFD, and the MAIB바카라 사이트檚 safety recommendations made in the Sea Mist report, no further recommendations regarding single-handed fishing have been considered necessary for inclusion in this report.

Related publications

A safety flyer to the fishing industry highlighting a number of the safety lessons was produced for this report.

See also the Maritime and Coastguard Agency바카라 사이트檚 Fishermen바카라 사이트檚 Safety Guide and their Single-handed fishing leaflet.

Published 3 September 2020