Person overboard from scallop dredger Shemariah with loss of 1 life
Location: Off Lerwick, Scotland.
Completed PE Summary: Shemariah
A short summary of the accident and action taken:
| Fishing vessel/Accident Details | |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Shemariah |
| Registered Owner/Manager | Privately owned |
| Flag | UK |
| Type | Scallop dredger |
| Date/Time | 01/07/2002 |
| Location of Incident | Off Lerwick |
| Incident Type | Accident to person |
| Injuries/Fatalities | 1 fatality |
| Damage/Pollution | None |
Synopsis
A fisherman was lost overboard from this scallop dredger. Although the incident was not witnessed, the elderly vessel had very low bulwarks and at the time was probably working close to the ship’s side.
Action taken:
To prevent a similar accident occurring in the future the owner was recommended to:
-
Carry out risk assessment of his operation as required by the Merchant Shipping and Fishing vessel (Health and Safety at work )regulations 1997 (see MGN 20 (M+F) with a view to determining whether, in light of her very low bulwark height, his vessel forms a safe working place and environment for the crew.
-
If it was determined that there was a foreseeable risk of someone falling over the side he should consider control measures to prevent that occurring and/or to protect the person in the water. With this in mind his attention was drawn to the requirements of the Merchant Shipping and Fishing vessels (Personal Protective Equipment) Regulations 1999 and Annex 1 of the Merchnat Shipping Notice (MSN Equipment) Regulations 1999 and Annex 1 of the Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN 1731 (M+F) which requires suitable Lifejackets to be provided for personnel risk
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency was recommended to:
- Include the problems associated with low bulwark height in its ongoing review of survey procedures and risk assessment for fishing vessels.