Report 2014/04

The most probable course of events is that a loop of the chain rope got caught around the deceased’s right lower leg, dragging him overboard. This could have happened while he was in the starboard corner of the aft deck or while he was climbing up on the net chute. In any case, he was standing right next to the rope that was running overboard.

The most important lessons to be learned from the accident concern measures that can reduce the risk of being dragged overboard while fishing. The AIBN submitted two safety recommendations in connection with a previous investigation, the marine accident of Fiskenes LLKI west of Vikna 24. March 2012, that are also relevant to this accident. They are:

• Owners of smacks and other fishing vessels should introduce permanent, physical measures to prevent the risk of fishermen being dragged overboard while fishing. In other words, measures should be introduced to ensure that fishermen are physically separated from moving ropes and fishing gear.
• The Norwegian Maritime Directorate should, in cooperation with the industry, the research community and other expert environments, consider measures that can support owners of fishing vessels and help to persuade them to implement physical measures/ arrangements to prevent accidents during fishing operations.

The picture of the main deck is illustrated with two alternative positions where the deceased probably got caught by the chain rope and dragged over board. In both positions the deceased had normally been standing right next to the rope that was running overboard. Illustration: AIBN