Person overboard from potter Gradely with loss of 1 life
Location: Near the Treshnish Isles, west of the Isle of Mull, Scotland.
Accident Investigation Report 9/2000
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken, and recommendations:
(34.47 kb)
(780.33 kb)
Summary
On 28 October 1999, fishing vessel Gradely suffered a man overboard accident near the Treshnish Isles, west of the Isle of Mull, Scotland, which resulted in the loss of one life. The fishing vessel’s crew were about half-way through shooting the last string of pots while fishing for crab and lobster. The crewman was standing on the starboard gunwhale while shooting the pots when his left foot became caught in a loop of the back rope, which then dragged him overboard. He was a non-swimmer and was not wearing a lifejacket at the time of the accident. The fishing vessel was stopped, put astern, and then manoeuvred toward the crewman who had been dragged overboard. As the fishing vessel came alongside the crewman he sank below the surface.
Safety Issues
- none of the crew had received basic safety training
- had a lifejacket been worn, it is almost certain the crewman would have been saved
Recommendations
Recommendations are made with regard to safety training, a safer method of handling pots, and the wearing of lifejackets on deck.
This report was published on 20 April 2000.