‘Safety failure led to fisherman’s death’

THE marine authorities have been accused of failing to enforce safety regulations on fishing vessels after a man died while discharging fish from a newly-built trawler.

The claim by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) was directed at the department of marine in the aftermath of a fatal accident two years ago in which fisherman Alan Patrick Flaherty, 49, died. He accidentally fell from the shelter deck into a hatchway and landed in the fish hold where he sustained fatal injuries.

A report from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, released yesterday, suggested the accident on board the Donegal vessel Mark Away, while anchored in Galway Docks, could have been prevented if safety stanchions and ropes were in place. The MCIB findings also noted the policy of using proper working gear on board at the time of the accident was either not in place or not being followed. The HSA, which conducted a separate investigation, said it had identified breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Fishing Vessels) Regulations 1999 during its probe.