Fall overboard from a crab potting vessel in the German Bight, North Sea, with the loss of 1 life.
Today, we have published our accident investigation report into the fall overboard from the crab potting vessel Amadeus (TH7) on 13 December 2023, during which one deckhand lost his life.
Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Rob Loder, said:
This accident must not be dismissed as yet another fatal man overboard from a fishing vessel. In the blink of an eye, a young man lost his life doing a task many in the industry would consider routine - but there was nothing routine about the physical toll it took. After weeks of demanding work and inadequate rest, he was hauling heavy pots in rough winter seas, repeatedly leaning over the vessel's side in an exhausting and unstable task, until one violent lurch was enough to send him overboard.
Exhaustion must not become simply part of the job. This accident is a stark reminder that, without effective safeguards, this could happen to any crew member.
A safety flyer to the fishing industry has also been produced with this report.
