British fishermen deaths bring call for better boat safety

Published on 28/07/2012 02:19

MAJOR improvements are needed in the safety record of Britain’s small vessel fishing fleet, the head of the Scottish Government’s marine investigation branch has said, after eight fishermen died at sea in 2011.

A total of 24 trawlers were also lost at sea last year – the highest number since 2005. More than 70 per cent of the vessels which capsized or foundered were under 15 metres.

The annual report of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch reveals that five of the eight men who lost their lives were from Scotland. They included two from Shetland who were lost overboard in incidents involving single-handed boats, a crewman of a prawn trawler who fell overboard while in harbour in Stornoway and a fisherman working on a North Sea guard vessel who died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Steve Clinch, the chief inspector of marine accidents, said: “If the safety record is to improve, more focus is needed from all industry stakeholders on how to provide these fishermen with effective education and guidance.”

FRANK URQUHART