The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reported a tragic incident involving the fishing vessel Kingfisher (DH 110), where a deckhand died during creel fishing operations approximately 30 nautical miles east-north-east of Wick, Scotland, on July 12, 2024. While manually deploying creels, the deckhand became entangled by a leg rope. Although his personal flotation device (PFD) activated upon entering the water, the heavy equipment dragged him below, and despite being pulled out within seven minutes and immediate resuscitation attempts, he could not be revived.
An investigation uncovered serious safety oversights, including the deckhand accidentally threading a creel toggle through his PFD’s safety loop, which created an unexpected entrapment hazard that had not been appropriately assessed. In response to these findings, an urgent recommendation (S2024/129M) was issued by the Home and Dry Safety Forum. This directive called for fishing crews to re-evaluate their risk assessments, focusing on the dangers of entrapment associated with running ropes, and ensuring PFDs are suitable for creel fishing tasks.
Browne Brothers Fisheries Limited, the company operating Kingfisher, was advised to revisit guidance from Marine Guidance Note 588 (F) Amendment 2. They are encouraged to assess the effectiveness of their PFDs in relation to onboard practices, enhance risk assessment protocols, and ensure all crew members are adequately trained. Chief Inspector Andrew Moll underscored that while PFDs are essential for survival at sea, they do not prevent accidents involving crew members being pulled overboard, suggesting that safety harnesses and tethers could be vital in managing such risks.
