A deckhand onboard a potter became entangled in the gear that was being shot away. The deckhand was dragged overboard and remained submerged for approximately 15 minutes before he was hauled to the surface with the pot hauler. The UK MAIB issued an investigation report, highlighting the hazards associated with potting and the need to keep crew separated from lines when shooting.
The incident
During the morning of 6 November 2017, Darren Morley, a deckhand on the UK registered fishing vessel Enterprise (SH323) died, after becoming caught and dragged overboard by a moving backrope. The deckhand was hauled to the surface approximately 15 minutes later, but the remaining two crew were unable to recover him back on board. He was unresponsive and remained suspended by his left leg beneath the pot hauler for about 44 minutes until the Scarborough inshore lifeboat arrived. He was then lowered into the lifeboat but, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, could not be resuscitated.
Probable Cause
Enterprise’s crew had worked on board together for about 2 years and the deck layout and intended potting routine enabled them to remain clear of the backrope when shooting. The deckhand had moved from a safe area on the aft deck and attempted to cross the running backrope without apparent reason.
Conclusions
- The deckhand became entangled in the fishing gear after leaving the ‘safe area’ behind pound boards before the deck was sufficiently clear of the moving backrope.
- There was no apparent reason for the deckhand to leave the ‘safe area’ when he did, and he ignored a verbal warning to wait.
- That the deckhand had moved out of the ‘safe area’ prematurely, and he had crossed over the moving backrope on previous occasions, indicates that he did not fully appreciate the risk of entanglement.
- After being dragged overboard, the deckhand remained submerged for over 15 minutes, and therefore the likelihood of his survival was slim.
- Although the remaining deckhand used the pot hauler to lift the deckhand out of the water, he was unable to lift him on to the deck.
- The skipper did not use the VHF radio’s DSC function to raise the alarm, but the radio was not connected to a GPS receiver and so would not have transmitted the vessel’s position.
UK MAIB commented:
Over the last decade industry bodies such as Seafish and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have promulgated information relating to the dangers of potting, particularly when shooting. However, this is sadly another avoidable fatality resulting from a fisherman being dragged overboard by the fishing gear.
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