Fisheries inspector fell into sea 50 miles off coast when trawler ladder snapped

Officer told court he had extensive safety training and the plunge into the cold sea did not cause the shock it would have caused for a less experienced person

Judge imposed a €4,000 fine on the master of the trawler.

A sea fisheries officer fell into the sea 50 miles off the Irish coast on Monday when the ladder at the side of trawler he was boarding collapsed as he went to climb on board for a routine inspection.

The officer, Nigel Ducker, said on Tuesday it was fortunate it happened to him rather than somebody else as he had extensive safety training and the plunge into the cold sea did not cause the shock it would have caused for a less experienced person.