Report on the investigation of the fatal man overboard from the fishing vessel Reul A Chuain (OB915) in the Sound of Rùm, Scotland, on 24 June 2021
Summary:
On the evening of 24 June 2021, the fishing vessel Reul A Chuain 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 personal flotation devices. Both men were recovered by the remaining crew member, but the skipper subsequently died.
The key safety issues identified were:
- The nets stowed at the stern were not lashed, contrary to the vessel’s risk assessment
- The 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.
2022-14-ReulAChuain
2022-14-ReulAChuain-Flyer Download |
