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Gareth Willington

Ref: 2016-wp25435 Date: 10 Nov 2016 Coroner: Jonathan Layton Area: Carmarthenshire  and Pembrokeshire Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The lack of mandatory personal flotation device wearing on fishing vessel decks at sea unnecessarily increases the risk of death.

Date 10 Nov 2016
56-day deadline 5 Jan 2017 est.
Responses identified 1 of 1
Other related deaths

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
The lack of mandatory personal flotation device wearing on fishing vessel decks at sea unnecessarily increases the risk of death.
View full coroner's concerns
The MATTERS OF CONCERN is as follows:

That the wearing of personal flotation devices whilst on deck is not mandatory. The report from the MAIB in their report no 22/2016 states “the benefits of wearing PFDs on the exposed decks of fishing vessels are incontrovertible”. Legislation requiring the compulsory wearing of personal flotation devices on the working decks of fishing vessels while at sea would lead to a reduction in the number of deaths at sea.

Responses

1 respondent
Maritime and Coastguard Agency Central Government
PDF
Action Planned

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is reviewing its policies regarding personal flotation devices (PFDs) on fishing vessels as a high priority, considering additional steps including new legislation. This work involves input from fishing stakeholders, with an update expected in early 2017 after a meeting of the Fishing Industry Safety Group. (AI summary)

Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On 29th April 2016 I opened an investigation into the death of Gareth Willington and on the 24th October 2016 I opened an investigation into the death of Daniel James Willington. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 10th November 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death in relation to Daniel James Willington and misadventure in relation to Gareth Willington.
Circumstances of the death
(1) On 28th April 2016 Gareth Willington and his son Daniel James Willington left their homes to go out on their fishing boat called Harvester leaving Milford Haven Docks in the early hours. (2) At 14.30 hours that day the coastguard received calls in relation to a fishing boat in difficulty near Abereiddy. (3) The emergency services were alerted and a full scale search was commenced in the area. (4) At 18.00 hours Mr Gareth Willington was recovered from the sea and taken to Withybush General Hospital where life was pronounced extinct. (5) The body of Mr Daniel James Willington was not recovered. (6) A report from the MAIB concluded that Mr Daniel Willington had become entangled in the back rope and Mr Gareth Willington had come to his assistance resulting in both men going overboard. (7) Neither crew member was wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the accident.

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Report details

Reference
2016-wp25435
Date of report
10 November 2016
Coroner
Jonathan Layton
Coroner area
Carmarthenshire  and Pembrokeshire

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1
All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 5 Jan 2017 (estimated).

Sent to

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Source links

Judiciary.uk page → Report PDF →

Data: judiciary.uk under OGL.