Ireland’s MCIB issued an investigation report on the fatality of a crew member while attempting to board a fishing vessel at Rosslare Europort, one of Ireland’s leading ports, in May 2019. The crew member was under the influence of alcohol. The report also found likely that there was considerable movement of the vessel due to manoeuvring of another vessel nearby.
The incident
At approximately 03.40 hrs on 17 May 2019, the berthing crew were preparing to dock the ‘MV Stena Nordica’, when they noticed a man passing by No. 3 berth. He seemed unsteady on his feet and informed the berthing crew he was going to the ‘MFV Ellie Adhamh’. The man was then seen to proceed towards No. 4 berth where that vessel was moored.
The last line came ashore from the ‘MV Stena Nordica’ at approximately 03.55 hrs. A member of the berthing party then went to check to see if the man was alright. As he approached the ‘MFV Ellie Adhamh’ he heard a noise coming from between the vessel and the quay wall. The other members of the berthing crew arrived and located the Casualty face down in the water.
The berthing crew then contacted the Duty Port Controller who contacted the emergency services. The ‘MV Stena Nordica’ launched its rescue boat and they recovered the Casualty.
They then landed him at the Lifeboat Station but despite medical intervention the Casualty did not survive.
Conclusions
- The toxicological analysis report from the postmortem confirms the Casualty was under the influence of alcohol and would have been a danger to himself and others in the port area at the time of the incident. As per the report on an incident at Killybegs on the 14th March 2019 this again highlights the dangers involved when attempting to board fishing vessels when under the influence of alcohol.
- Safe means of access to the vessel at all states of tide was not evident.
- The Casualty wore no PFD.
- It is likely that there was considerable movement of the vessel due to manoeuvring of the ‘MV Stena Nordica’ in close proximity to it. As the much larger vessel went astern into its berth it would have caused considerable water flow in the vicinity of the ‘MFV Ellie Adhamh’
- Rosslare Europort does not have bye laws regulating the operation of fishing vessels operating within its jurisdiction.
Recommendations
MCIB recommended the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to issue a Marine Notice reminding fishing vessel crews of the:
- dangers associated with boarding vessels under the influence of alcohol.
- duty of care to provide safe means of access to vessels while in harbour.
- importance of wearing personal flotation devices while accessing vessels.
It also advised the Rosslare Europort to consider reviewing its operating procedures including bye laws and security plans regarding fishing vessel operations in the port.
This should include movement of crew members within the port limits and ensuring the perimeter is secure at night and also a suitable location for the berthing of fishing vessels.
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