Fisherman dies off Kerry coast on Spanish trawler which had another fatality in 2018

Another man was seriously injured in the accident

The incident happened on the Spanish-registered Novo Alborada when it was about 30km off Valentia Island, in what local fishermen have described as 'fairly difficult' sea conditions.

A fisherman has died and another was seriously injured after an accident on a Spanish trawler off the Kerry coast.

The tragedy occurred when a rope snapped aboard the vessel, striking two men working on the boat. The incident happened on the Spanish-registered Novo Alborada when it was about 30km off Valentia Island, in what local fishermen have described as “fairly difficult” sea conditions.

One of the men died on board from his injuries and the second fisherman was successfully taken off the trawler and transferred to Cork University Hospital by an Irish Coast Guard helicopter. Two helicopters and a fixed wing Irish Coast Guard plane were used in the mission, which was co-ordinated by the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Valentia, Co Kerry.

The trawler regularly fishes off the south-west coastline. In 2018, a 51-year-old fisherman lost his life following an accident involving a trawler door on the same vessel. A file was sent to the DPP in relation to that matter but no prosecution was taken in the case on health and safety grounds.

At Cork Coroner's Court in August 2019, coroner Philip Comyn expressed concern that foreign-registered vessels often fail to have safety standards that comply with their Irish counterparts. After a few minutes of deliberations, a verdict of accidental death was recorded in the case. 

Responding to the latest incident, a Department of Transport spokesperson said: “Just after 9am the Irish Coast Guard received a request from the Spanish Coast Guard to provide assistance to the Spanish fishing vessel Novo Alborada 30 nautical miles south-west of Valentia Island.

A fixed wing Irish Coast Guard plane took part in the rescue mission along with two Coast Guard helicopters.

“Two crew members onboard had been seriously injured when a rope snapped. The Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Valentia initiated a search and rescue plan utilising the Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter R115 and the Fixed Wing aircraft from Shannon.

“The Rescue Helicopter R118 from Sligo was also tasked in a support role. The Coast Guard Fixed Wing 120F facilitated the aircraft co-ordinator role on scene with support communications back to the co-ordination centre in Valentia.

“Sea conditions were challenging with waves of between five and six metres. R118 from Sligo was able to complete winching operations and transfer the first casualty to Cork University Hospital. It was confirmed on board that the second crew member had sadly not survived the accident.”