UK MAIB has issued a report on the investigation into a fatal man overboard from the scallop dredger King Challenger while 12 nautical miles south-west of Scalloway, Shetland Islands, Scotland on 23 June 2016.
The investigation found that the crew regularly worked on open tipping doors without securing themselves with a lifeline or wearing a lifejacket; the victim although being a strong swimmer, unfortunately, he was incapacitated within 4 minutes of falling into the cold water. Also, the crew were unprepared for the rescue of an unconscious casualty from the water.
Findings
- Scott Rennie slipped and fell overboard from the tipping door while following the accepted procedure on board for repairing dredge bags.
- The vessel’s risk assessment should have recognised that the practise of walking on the tipping doors was unsafe and identified safe alternative working practices.
- Scott succumbed to the debilitating effects of cold water incapacitation within approximately 4 minutes of falling into the water.
- Had Scott been wearing a lifejacket when he entered the water, it is likely that he would have been recovered alive.
- Unless appropriate, realistic manoverboard drills are carried out, the crew’s reaction will be ad hoc, not only risking delays in recovering a casualty but potentially resulting in additional casualties.
West Coast Sea Products is recommended to review the risk assessment for all the vessels in its fleet, paying particular attention to the risks associated with maintenance tasks.
Further details on the incident may be found in the report herebelow
Source: UK MAIB