On 7 October 2022, a deckhand from the UK registered gill netter Eder Sands fell overboard while the vessel was shooting a net approximately 150 nautical miles west of Ireland. Despite an extensive 21-hour search that involved other vessels and fixed-wing aircraft, the crew member was not found.
Safety issues
– The unwritten on board process for shooting nets was unsafe and required crew to work at height without appropriate guard rails or a safety harness and tether to protect them.
– The crew were habitually wearing their lifejackets with loose waist straps and it was probable that the deckhand slipped out of his lifejacket when he fell into the water.
– The lifejackets used by the crew were compliant but unsuitable for the vessel’s operation because they were not fitted with a light, personal locator beacon, crotch strap or spray hood.
Recommendations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been recommended (2024/103) to review and update its guidance to fishing vessel owners to ensure that risk assessments consider the suitability of personal flotation devices provided to their crew.
Recommendations (2024/104, 2024/105 and 2024/106) have also been made to the owner of Eder Sands to review their procedure and risk assessment for shooting nets and ensure that crew know how to wear their personal flotation devices correctly. The owner of Eder Sands has also been recommended, as part of this risk assessment process, to review the suitability of these lifejackets and consider the provision of personal locator beacons for their crew.
Download the report: Eder Sands - MAIB