Fatal Fall Prompts Safety Review on UK Sail Training Ship

The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has released its report on a tragic incident aboard the sail training vessel Pelican of London, where a volunteer relief cook fell to his death from the ship’s gangway on October 2, 2023.

The investigation has revealed serious safety concerns and prompted recommendations for improved policies and procedures.

According to the MAIB report, the relief cook fell from the top of the vessel’s gangway into a flooded drydock at 11:08 PM while under the influence of alcohol. His absence went unnoticed until the following morning, and his body was recovered by police divers in the early afternoon of October 3.

The investigation uncovered multiple safety issues, including an inadequately rigged gangway that failed to provide safe access to the vessel. “The arrangement of gangway guard ropes and safety net did not prevent the relief cook’s entry into the water,” the report stated. Additionally, the vessel’s on-board training and risk assessments were found to be insufficient in mitigating the risk of falls from the gangway.

The report also highlighted concerns regarding alcohol consumption among crew members. The relief cook was found to have a blood alcohol level of 190 milligrams per decilitre, well above the legal limit for duty.

The report details the events leading up to the tragic incident. On September 28, the relief cook received a handover and induction brief before starting his duties. In the following days, he was observed drinking heavily at a local bar. On the night of October 2, he joined his colleagues at the bar, consuming at least nine double whiskies over nearly 3 hours. He was the last to leave the bar at 22:51, returning to the ship alone. This pattern of alcohol consumption ultimately contributed to the fatal accident that occurred later that night.

The vessel’s drug and alcohol policy did not specify guidelines for crew members returning on board after recreational time ashore.

In response to these findings, the MAIB has issued recommendations to Seas Your Future, the charity operating the Pelican of London. These include reviewing and amending policies and procedures for gangway arrangement, risk assessment, and alcohol management.

A spokesperson for Seas Your Future stated, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident and are committed to implementing the MAIB’s recommendations to ensure the safety of all individuals aboard our vessels.”

The MAIB report can be found here. The agency also produced a safety flyer to the shipping industry with the report, signposting guidance on how to safely rig a gangway.

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