Persons overboard from prawn trawler Reul A Chuain with loss of 1 life

Location: Sound of Rùm, Scotland.

Accident Investigation Report 14/2022

Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened and actions taken:

MAIB investigation report 14-2022: Reul A Chuain

Stern to bow view of Reul A Chuain’s main deck arrangement

Summary

On the evening of 24 June 2021, the fishing vessel Reul A Chuain (OB915) was on passage with three crew to Mallaig, Scotland when a deckhand fell overboard in adverse weather while trying to recover the vessel’s net, which had slipped over the stern during heavy rolling. The skipper attempted to recover him from the water but also fell overboard when the vessel again rolled heavily. Neither of them was wearing a personal flotation device. Both men were recovered by the remaining crew member, but the skipper subsequently died.

Safety Issues

  • nets stowed at the stern were not lashed, contrary to the vessel’s risk assessment
  • reaction to the loss of the net was viewed by the crew as an emergency and they reacted quickly without assessing the risk
  • the crew did not wear restraint devices
  • the two men that fell overboard were not wearing personal flotation devices
  • the crew had not practised man overboard recovery drills

Safety recommendations

In view of the safety flyer and other guidance currently available to the fishing industry, no recommendations have been made.

A safety flyer to the fishing industry summarising several safety lessons was produced for this report.

MGN 571 (F) Fishing vessels: prevention of man overboard

Updates to this page

Published 16 December 2022