Owners and operators of beam and scallop trawlers have been urged to inspect their vessels’ quick-release arrangements after a deckhand was fatally injured by chain failure on the Honeybourne III in 2023.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) added that any necessary changes should be made to the equipment or its operation to ensure the safety of crew working on deck.
What happened
On 6 October 2023, a deckhand on Honeybourne III was fatally injured when he was struck by a towing block that had fallen from the head of the port derrick. A section of chain supporting the fishing gear failed, allowing the suspended gear to fall to the deck, striking and fatally injuring the deckhand who was working below as it fell.
Safety issues
- The combination of high loading and bending moments in the outer chain links of the quick-release assembly led over a static pin increased stress in the chain links.
- It is likely that the chain link strength on the port quick-release gear was reduced by its material hardness.
- The programme of on board inspection of lifting equipment did not identify patent defects in Honeybourne III’s lifting equipment.
Recommendations
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has been recommended to take steps, using the relevant powers provided by sections 261 (improvement notices) and 262 (prohibition notices) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, to reduce the substantial risk presented by the use of a chain led over a static pin as the sole means of supporting a suspended load, and to update its instructions for the guidance of surveyors to incorporate a verification that the actions contained in its Safety Bulletin 20 have been completed.
The MAIB has since issued Safety Bulletin 1/2024 along with a safety flyer to the fishing industry.
Download the full report: MAIB investigation report 1-2026 Honeybourne III
Download the safety flyer: MAIB – Is your quick-release assembly safe?