Report on fall overboard from the fishing vessel ‘Hunter’ (LKUA) in the Barents Sea on 30 January 2023
Marine report 2024/01
A fisherman fell overboard and died in connection with the deployment of crab pots. There were no other vessels or rescue crews nearby and the fisherman's only chance of survival was to be quickly found and rescued by the fishing vessel. The investigation has revealed several safety issues.
During the rescue operation, language misunderstandings delayed the rescue work, and the search was initiated in another direction of where the fisherman had fallen overboard. No lifebuoy was thrown, and due to heavy weather it was not justifiable to use the MOB boat. Nor was it possible to locate the fisherman who had fallen overboard. The minimum requirements for rescue equipment were not in balance with the risk involved in the work being carried out.
The fishing arrangement had a fundamentally flawed design. The aft working deck had no physical barriers against falling overboard and the design was for both the set line and the pots to pass freely out of the set hatch without encountering obstacles. The lack of physical barriers was not identified by the Norwegian Maritime Authority.
Audits were carried out at times when the vessel was not manned for operations. Thus, the supervisory authority did not have an adequate basis for identifying language problems or the crew’s lack of knowledge about the vessel’s rescue equipment.
The working situation on the aft deck was not safe. The shipping company's safety management system had several weaknesses and they did not comply with the obligations it had undertaken.
The investigation has shown that terms for snow crab fishing as regulated today can have a negative impact on safety. The snow crab fleet competed to take the biggest possible share of the total quota as quickly as possible. Competitive fishing under the current framework conditions may have contributed to heightened risk in the work.
Published 30.01.2024
Safety recommendation
Safety recommendation Marine No 2024/01T
On 30 January 2023, the snow crab boat ‘Hunter’ was at the fishing grounds in the Barents Sea, when a fisherman died after falling overboard during the deployment of crab pots.
The investigation has shown that the minimum requirements for life-saving appliances are not balanced against the risks involved in the work. It was not justifiable to use the MOB boat, and no or weak absolute regulatory requirements were in place relating to the use of life-saving appliances when working on deck. Nor was it possible to locate the fisherman who had fallen overboard.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority implement measures that ensure a balance between the requirements for life-saving appliances and the expected working conditions for snow crab fishing.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2024/02T
On 30 January 2023, the snow crab boat ‘Hunter’ was at the fishing grounds in the Barents Sea, when a fisherman died after falling overboard during the deployment of crab pots.
The investigation has shown that work on the aft deck was not secured with physical barriers against falling overboard. This, in combination with a lack of anti-slip protection and a movable set line, increased the risk of falling overboard.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority ensure that the shipping company Havøy Kystfiske AS establishes barriers so that the probability of falling overboard is reduced.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2024/03T
On 30 January 2023, the snow crab boat ‘Hunter’ was at the fishing grounds in the Barents Sea, when a fisherman died after falling overboard during the deployment of crab pots.
The investigation has shown that the shipping company’s safety management system did not function as a safety barrier, as the company did not comply with the obligations it had undertaken. Procedural descriptions had major shortcomings, and risk assessments had not been carried out or was not undertaken with the sufficiently degree of objectivity.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that Havøy Kystfiske AS implement measures in its safety management to achieve safe workplaces on board the company’s vessels.
Safety recommendation Marine No 2024/04T
On 30 January 2023, the snow crab boat ‘Hunter’ was at the fishing grounds in the Barents Sea, when a fisherman died after falling overboard during the deployment of crab pots.
The investigation has shown that the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s audits were carried out when the vessel was not manned for operations. Thus, the supervisory authority did not have an adequate basis for identifying language problems or the crew’s lack of knowledge about the vessel’s rescue equipment.
The Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority recommends that the Norwegian Maritime Authority in greater degree follow up its own guidelines when audits are carried out on board, so that ships that are audited are in the operational condition expected during active fishing.
Facts
| Location | Barents Sea |
| Occurrence date | 30.01.2023 |
| Accident category | Personal injury |
| Area | Norwegian Territorial Waters |
| IMO number | 8906949 |
| Name of vessel | Hunter |
| Accident type | Fall over board, Occupational accident, Fatal Accident |
| Vessel type | Fishing Vessel |
| Register | The Norwegian Ship Register |