Person struck by port fishing gear on twin beam scallop dredger Geeske while hauling fishing gear with loss of 1 life
Location: Off Beachy Head, England.
Accident Investigation Report: Geeske
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, actions taken, and recommendations:
(978.68 kb)
Summary
Geeske was a scallop dredger fishing in the English Channel in moderate weather conditions. During the final hauling operation of the second watch a deckhand was struck by the port fishing gear as it was dropped on to the deck. He was badly injured, and despite valiant efforts by the crew to try to save him, he subsequently died.
Safety Issues
The poor view from the wheelhouse is considered to have been the main cause of the accident, but a contributory factor was that the skipper’s verbal instructions for the hauling, operation were not followed If they had been, the deckhand should have been in a safe position under the whaleback.
Recommendations
Recommendations have been made to the owner on the visibility from the wheelhouse, the procedure for the hauling operation, and to the MCA on risk assessment for scallop dredgers.
This report was published on 5 August 1999.