Probe into Ross-shire fish farmer's tragic death finds failings
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AN investigation into the tragic death of a Ross-shire fish farm worker found a risk assessment had not taken place ahead of an accident in which he was crushed between two boats before falling into the water.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) report followed the death of Dornie man Clive Hendry after a boat-to-boat transfer in Lochalsh on February 18, 2020.
In spite of fish farm operator Mowi having reported 18 boat transfer incidents – and eight crush injuries – in the last five years, Ardintoul fish farm assistant manager Mr Hendry (58) died after crushing his pelvis between two boats before falling into the water.
Mr Hendry was employed by fish farm and barge operator Mowi based at Ardintoul, Glenshiel at the time of his death.
Mr Hendry was attempting to climb onto the feed barge, Stolt Madah, from the work boat Beinn Na Caillich.
At about 3.10pm, with the Beinn Na Caillich moving slowly ahead, Mr Hendry stepped through an open gate and on to the vessel's barge access ladder.
As he did so, Beinn Na Caillich’s bulwark gate post caught the assistant manager, who was wearing a life jacket but it was not fastened around the crotch strap. The boat manoeuvre crushed him against the barge ladder’s fender structure.
Mr Hendry was seen holding on to the rungs of the ladder and heard shouting out in pain.
The barge technician saw his colleague hanging from the ladder and grabbed hold of the strap at the back of his lifejacket. The assistant manager told the technician that he could not use or feel his legs.
Shortly after, Mr Hendry lost his grip on the ladder, slipped out of his lifejacket and oilskin coat, and fell into the water. The technician was left holding the lifejacket and oilskin coat.
Mr Hendry floated to the surface and lay motionless on his back, with water lapping over his face. Colleagues pulled him towards the barge, and kept his airways clear of the water.
Despite the use of a defibrillator and the determined efforts of the fish farm workers, emergency services, and medical staff, Mr Hendry could not be resuscitated, and he was pronounced dead shortly after 4.30pm in hospital.
A report published by the MAIBconcluded: "...the conduct of the boat transfer had not been properly planned or briefed and was not adequately controlled.
"A risk assessment for the transfer of personnel to and from the fish farm installations had not been carried out and a documented safe system of work had not been produced."
Mowi has been told to to apply The Workboat Code edition two to its fleet and implement a safety management system that complies with the principles of the International Safety Management Code.
It has also been told to ensure that appropriate marine expertise is present or provided to the senior management team to oversee the safety of its vessels and marine operations has also been made to the owner.
A spokesman for Mowi said: "Clive had been a truly valued member of our team for 12 years and we all continue to be deeply affected by his death.
"Our sympathies go to Clive’s family, friends and colleagues. As detailed in the MAIB accident report, preventative actions were immediately implemented and we are now reviewing the learnings from this report that include two recommendations made by the MAIB.”
